ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Crown Prosecution Service: Training

Linda Riordan: To ask the Attorney-General what training crown prosecutors receive in respect of processing recorded incidents of stalking and harassment.

Edward Garnier: Crown prosecutors do not receive specific training on the prosecution of stalking and harassment cases.
	However, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is committed to tackling violence against women and girls, which includes stalking as a key priority. In September 2010 the CPS produced legal guidance for prosecutors on stalking and harassment and in December 2010, as a first step to addressing the issue of stalking, the CPS, Home Office and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) held the first joint National Stalking Conference to promote the sharing of best practice between the police and the CPS.

Departmental Procurement

John Denham: To ask the Attorney-General what provisions in respect of behavioural standards have been included in procurement contracts issued by his Department since May 2010.

Edward Garnier: The Treasury Solicitor's Department (TSol) has followed OGC Buying Solutions guidelines when drawing up new contracts since May 2010. Behavioural standards such as “acting in good faith”, or paying subcontractors in the line with the principles of the Fair Payment guidance, are utilised variously at tender stage, in contract provisions and during service delivery according to the requirements of specific procurements projects.
	Tsol is also responsible for procurement relating to the Attorney-General's Office and HM Crown Prosecution Services Inspectorate.
	Since May 2010, the SFO has issued model OGC Terms and Conditions for the majority of its contracts. The model terms make provision for behavioural standards under statutory obligations and regulations.
	The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) issues standard contracts for the procurement of most goods and services. These contracts are based on the Office of Government Commerce's (OGC) standard terms and conditions. However, the CPS standard contracts do not make specific provisions for behavioural standards of contractor personnel engaged on the contract. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has not issued any new procurement contracts since May 2010.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Broadband

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has for the roll-out of superfast broadband.

Edward Vaizey: The Government have allocated £530 million to ensure superfast broadband reaches at least 90% of households in each local authority. Four pilot projects were announced in October. Wiltshire, Devon and Somerset and Norfolk received second wave funding announced on 27 May. I will be announcing the allocations for the devolved Administrations and for local authorities in England in the near future.

Broadband: Finance

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how much of the £530 million allocated for expenditure on superfast broadband by 2015 the Government plans to allocate to (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland; and when it plans to do so;
	(2)  which local authority areas in England are not to receive any of the funding allocated for the roll-out of superfast broadband during the comprehensive spending review period.

Edward Vaizey: The allocations for the three devolved Administrations and the English counties will be announced in July.

Broadband: Finance

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the provision by local authorities in England of the proportion of public funds they will be expected to provide to fund the roll-out of superfast broadband.

Edward Vaizey: I have communicated the broadband objectives and the funding requirements to Government Departments. As a result, there have been discussions between Ministers, including those in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Communities and Local Government, on the subject of broadband deployment.

Departmental Charitable Donations

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in his Department.

John Penrose: The Government's White Paper on Giving published last month, sets out our plans to make it easier and more attractive to give time and money to good causes. As well as charitable giving, all Ministers, including those in this Department, have committed to give their time to good causes through the Volunteering Challenge.

Departmental Public Appointments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many and what proportion of public appointments made to his Department and its arms length bodies have been women since May 2010; and if he will list each such appointment.

John Penrose: holding answer 16 June 2011
	The number of public appointments made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) since May 2010 is 114, of which 48 were female (42%).
	Information on this Department's individual public appointments is published on our website:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/about_us/public_appointments/1006.aspx

Entry Clearances

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will assess the potential effects on the UK visitor economy of the introduction of a pilot visa waiver scheme by the Government of Ireland.

John Penrose: holding answer 20 June 2011
	The British Government welcome the Visa Waiver programme and hope that it will lead to an increase in tourism and trade between our two countries. We are unable to estimate how many people from the countries included in the programme will wish to take advantage of this arrangement during the trial period and are, therefore, unable at this time to make an assessment of the potential effects on the UK visitor economy.

EU Law

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport for what European directives in force on 1 April 2010 his Department is responsible; and what European directives for which his Department is responsible have come into force since 1 April 2010.

John Penrose: The stock of EU legislation in force is set out in the Eur-Lex database:
	http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm
	It would be of disproportionate cost to review the entire stock to establish which pieces of legislation are currently the responsibility of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport or its predecessor Departments.
	However, there are a number of directives which although they came into force before 1 April 2010, have been transposed since that date, and for which my Department has responsibility. The directives are of various natures and implications and I will write separately providing a detailed list.

Gambling

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to provide information for the public on the effects of gambling (a) in general and (b) on younger people.

John Penrose: The Government recognise the negative impact which problem gambling can have and, in particular, the risks to children and young people. We believe that it is the responsibility of the industry to fund appropriate research, education and treatment, including initiatives to raise awareness of the risks of problem gambling and where to seek help.
	Recent industry funded work commissioned by the Responsible Gambling Fund includes, among other things, a harm prevention programme aimed at university students; launching innovative pilot projects in the midlands, Wales and Scotland led by addiction charities working in partnership with local statutory and voluntary sector partners such as citizens advice bureaux, GPs and other community-based bodies; launching a major project with the Royal College of GPs to train doctors and those who work with them to recognise gambling related harm and direct to appropriate help, and commissioning an accessible and cost effective National Gambling Helpline.

Horserace Totalisator Board

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will increase the proportion of funds to be returned to racing from the sale of the Tote; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The Government have no plans to increase beyond 50% the share of the net proceeds of the sale of the Tote that they intend to return to racing. This is the same proportion which was originally proposed by the previous Administration when they created the necessary legislation for the sale to proceed and, now that a substantially higher price has been achieved than was originally expected, should represent a windfall of approximately £90 million for racing.

Internet: Sex

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to publish the report of Ofcom on access to sexually-explicit content on video on demand websites.

Jeremy Hunt: holding answer 23 June 2011
	The Government have been considering the report and discussing matters with Ofcom and the Authority for Television on Demand (ATVOD). We intend to publish the report shortly.

Museums: Libraries

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will review the Arts Council's museum and library functions in consultation with libraries and museums.

Edward Vaizey: Arts Council England's (ACE) development and delivery of museum and library functions is being closely monitored by officials and Ministers and will continue to be reviewed over the course of the spending period. To integrate museums and libraries functions into its work ACE has held roundtables and reference groups with a range of stakeholders across the museums and libraries sectors to ensure support for these sectors continues.

Newspaper Press: Telephone Hacking

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will establish a judicial enquiry, with evidence to be taken on oath, into allegations of telephone hacking by members of the press and their associates.

Edward Vaizey: There are already a number of investigations looking in to the issue of phone hacking. These must be allowed to reach their conclusions without impediment. Any further Government action at this time might risk impeding those inquiries. We will be looking closely at the results of those, and determining then if any further action is needed.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many applications for London 2012 Olympics tickets were received from individuals in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) outside the UK; and how many applications from individuals in each nation were successful.

Hugh Robertson: The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) is a private company operating independently of Government, responsible for the ticketing arrangements for the 2012 games.
	Overall at the close of the first application window in April 2011, 1.9 million applications were made for 22 million Olympic tickets. Over 95% of applications—and successful applications—were from UK residents. 700,000 applicants were successful in obtaining some or all of the tickets they applied for, securing a total of three million tickets. Successful applicants were, on average, allocated between four and five tickets, totalling around £275.
	LOCOG have not broken down applications by region. Their initial assessment suggests that ticket applications were split approximately equally between London, the wider south-east and the rest of the UK.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 140W, on the Olympic Games 2012, what steps the London 2012 Organising Committee is taking to directly promote applications for tickets to attend London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics from schools in Scotland.

Hugh Robertson: Through a levy on high-end prestige ticket packages, the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) is funding 200,000 ‘Ticketshare’ tickets, which will see tickets donated to schools all over the UK, as well as other deserving organisations. Tickets will be distributed via schools and colleges that have signed up to LOCOG's Get Set Network, part of the official London 2012 Get Set Education Programme.
	All schools and colleges in Scotland with pupils of relevant age have been encouraged to apply to the Get Set Network and therefore become eligible.
	The Scottish Government sits on the Nations and Regions Group set up by the Government and LOCOG. The group works to maximise the benefits of the Games in Scotland and other nations and regions of the UK. This has supported initiatives such as LOCOG's work with Learning Teaching Scotland to promote the Get Set education programme, using their communication channels to help engage schools and colleges across Scotland in the Get Set Network.

Performing Arts: Licensing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent progress his Department has made on its proposals for live entertainment licensing; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: I intend to issue a public consultation in due course about proposals to reduce the licensing burdens on most forms of entertainment regulated under the Licensing Act.

Public Holidays

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to publish an assessment of his Department's pre-consultation on the proposal to move the May Day bank holiday.

John Penrose: The pre-consultation on bank holidays ended on 9 June. Over 2,500 responses were received and we expect to publish a response in due course.

Public Lending Right

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he expects to announce the public body which will be responsible for the future administration of the public lending right.

Edward Vaizey: We are working to resolve as quickly as possible the issues associated with the transfer of the Public Lending Right's functions to another body in order to minimise the period of uncertainty regarding its future administration.

THQ

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  whether he has had discussions with representatives of the video games industry on the closure of THQ's Warrington studios;
	(2)  whether he has had discussions with representatives of THQ on the closure of its Warrington studios.

Edward Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport has not held discussions with THQ on the recent announcement of their plans to close THQ Digital in Warrington, nor representatives of the video games industry on this subject.
	However, officials from UK Trade and Investment have been in regular contact with senior executives from the company.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Allowances

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what expenses were claimed by (a) paid and (b) unpaid special advisers working in his Department in the last 12 months.

David Mundell: During the last 12 months, the following expenses have been claimed by special advisers to the Secretary of State for Scotland:
	
		
			 Expenses claimed 
			  £ 
			 Paid special advisers 2,157 
			 Unpaid special advisers 1,327

Departmental Procurement

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provisions in respect of behavioural standards have been included in procurement contracts issued by his Department since May 2010.

David Mundell: Other than minor or bespoke purchases, the Scotland Office does not undertake direct procurement or tendering projects. It utilises existing service contracts between suppliers and the Scottish Government or the Ministry of Justice. Since May 2010 only one contract has been issued directly by the Scotland Office. The requirements of the contract did not call for specific behavioural standards.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Allowances

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what expenses were claimed by (a) paid and (b) unpaid special advisers working in his Department in the last 12 months.

Owen Paterson: Expenses totalling £1,898.00 for travel and subsistence have been claimed by the Northern Ireland Office's paid special adviser in the last 12 months.

Departmental Procurement

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provisions in respect of behavioural standards have been included in procurement contracts issued by his Department since May 2010.

Owen Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office currently receives procurement advice and support from the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland. The Department of Finance and Personnel have 12 guiding principles to govern the administration of public procurement. These are contained within the “Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy”.

Police Ombudsman

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times he has met the Police ombudsman since May 2010.

Owen Paterson: I have had one meeting with the Police ombudsman since May 2010.

Policing Board

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings he has held with the Policing Board for Northern Ireland since May 2010.

Owen Paterson: I have had no such meetings.

PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Responsibilities: Urban Areas

Nick Brown: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 1 March 2011, Official Report, column 358W, on departmental responsibilities: urban areas, on what date he plans to announce the appointment of Ministers with responsibility for cities in England.

David Cameron: The Government recognise the particular role of cities in driving balanced and sustainable growth across England, and the importance of appropriate mechanisms to support them (for example, ensuring that local leaders and enterprise partnerships have the freedoms and flexibilities they need to promote prosperity in their cities and beyond, and a means of overcoming any bureaucratic barriers that they encounter). An announcement will be made shortly on the ministerial structures which will be put in place to deliver these objectives.

NHS: Reorganisation

John Spellar: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Wansbeck of 18 May 2011, Official Report, column 342, on how many occasions he has been present at meetings with representatives of NHS South Central.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the list of Official Meetings by Ministers with External Organisations. This list was published for the first time in October 2010 and is published on a quarterly basis, in accordance with the new Ministerial Code. In addition I have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues, officials and others.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Angling

George Hollingbery: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fish kills were reported to the Environment Agency in each region in each of the last five financial years; how many prosecutions were pursued in respect of fish kills; how many were unsuccessful; and how many penalties were issued as a result of successful prosecutions in each year.

Richard Benyon: A total of 1,071 fish kills were recorded as reported to the Environment Agency in the last five year period across all regions.
	It is not possible to draw a direct correlation between fish kills and prosecutions pursued for a variety of reasons. These include:
	a proportion of fish kills are reported on still waters where either natural causes or disease is suspected and no pollution is implicated;
	not all detected pollution incidents result in fish kills.
	However, the following table shows the number of water pollution cases that have been brought by the Environment Agency over the last five years and the number of successful prosecutions.
	
		
			 Water pollution prosecutions (Water Resources Act 1991, Section 85(1)) 
			 Financial year Total prosecutions Successful prosecutions 
			 2006 202 200 
			 2007 168 165 
			 2008 144 144 
			 2009 125 121 
			 2010 111 106

Angling

George Hollingbery: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the number of people who fished, excluding sea anglers, in each of the last five financial years; and what estimate she has made of likely income from rod licences in 2011-12.

Richard Benyon: In 2010, the Environment Agency (EA) commissioned a report entitled “Public Attitudes to Angling”. This survey sought to assess the levels of participation in freshwater and sea angling. Similar work was previously undertaken in 2005.
	The 2010 survey indicated that 9% of the population within England and Wales (4.2 million) have been freshwater fishing within the last two years. 3.3 million anglers had been fishing within the previous year. The report suggests possible reasons for the discrepancy between this figure and the 1.3 million rod licences sold may include:
	high evasion levels among anglers who fish infrequently;
	interpretation of ‘going fishing’, for example, accompanying an angler rather than personally fishing which would not require a licence.
	The EA’s target for rod licence income for 2011-12 is £24.4 million.

Angling

George Hollingbery: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many reports of suspected illegal fish movement the Environment Agency received in each region in each of the last five financial years; what the source of the report was in each case; how many illegal fish movements were discovered by Environment Agency personnel in the course of their duties in each region; how many prosecutions arose from suspected illegal fish movements; how many such prosecutions were unsuccessful; and in how many cases penalties were issued as a result of successful prosecutions in each year.

Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency is unable to distinguish between reports of illegal fish movement and reports of illegal fishing within their existing incident reporting system. For the last five-year period to 31 March 2011 the Environment Agency received a total of 1,281 reports from members of the public. This figure is inclusive of all alleged angling related offences rather than only reports of illegal fish introductions to inland waters.
	The following table shows the number of cases prosecuted for introduction of fish without consent under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act in the last five years:
	
		
			 Introduction of fish without consent 
			 Financial year Total prosecutions Successful prosecutions 
			 2006 3 3 
			 2007 3 3 
			 2008 1 1 
			 2009 1 1 
			 2010 0 0

Angling: Licensing

George Hollingbery: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much income the Environment Agency received from rod licences on which a concession was available in each of the last five financial years; and how much such income it expects to receive in 2011-12.

Richard Benyon: The following table shows the income received by the Environment Agency from the sale of concessionary rod licences in each of the last five years:
	
		
			 £ 
			  Senior and disabled Junior Total 
			 2006-07 1,836,192 588,850 2,425,042 
			 2007-08 2,064,550 631,195 2,695,745 
			 2008-09 2,845,665 608,895 3,454,560 
			 2009-10 3,369,206 648,225 4,017,431 
			 2010-11 3,601,590 597,600 4,199,190 
		
	
	The following table shows the expected income in 2011-12.
	
		
			 £ 
			  Senior and disabled Junior Total 
			 2011-12 3,459,795 574,072 4,033,868

Angling: Licensing

George Hollingbery: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much income the Environment Agency received from rod licences for each category of licence in each region in each of the last five financial years; and how much such income it expects to receive in 2011-12.

Richard Benyon: Historical rod licence sales figures have been published in the “Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Statistics” series. Income received in each region for each category of licence for the last five years is as in the following tables.
	
		
			 2006-07 Rod licence income 
			 £ 
			  Coarse and trout 
			 Region Full Concession Junior 8 day 1 day Total C   and   T 
			 North East 2,076,072 245,856 83,725 46,087 146,549 2,598,289 
			 Anglian 2,598,432 252,924 95,760 60,367 136,234 3,143,717 
			 Thames 2,732,928 230,424 93,285 74,095 180,963 3,311,695 
			 Southern 1,408,944 123,456 58,590 43,750 104,497 1,739,237 
			 South West 1,073,832 104,580 43,180 26,792 75,270 1,323,654 
			 Midlands 3,163,608 371,520 110,320 62,739 187,652 3,895,838 
			 E.A. Wales 747,432 81,564 34,800 15,742 56,508 936,046 
			 North West 1,671,696 180,936 62,065 36,210 75,390 2,026,297 
			 Others 161,280 16,164 7,125 17,901 17,280 219,750 
			 Total 15,634,224 1,607,424 588,850 383,682 980,343 19,194,523 
		
	
	
		
			 £ 
			  Salmon and sea trout  
			 Region Full Concession 8 day 1 day Total salmon Total 
			 North East 182,065 36,205 6,335 9,626 234,230 2,832,519 
			 Anglian 14,755 4,680 5,699 2,167 27,301 3,171,017 
			 Thames 57,850 9,880 10,640 5,981 84.350 3,396,045 
			 Southern 29,900 7,443 4,838 2,012 44,192 1,783,429 
			 South West 113,555 25,480 4,797 5,049 148,881 1,472,535 
			 Midlands 76,635 22.978 6,806 5,258 111,677 4,007,515 
			 E.A. Wales 262,860 65,000 4,490 4,853 337,203 1,273,249 
			 North West 225,030 52,033 6,089 9,349 292,500 2,318,797 
			 Others 19,305 5,070 3,485 2,052 29,912 249,662 
			 Total 981,955 228,768 53,177 46,346 1,310,245 20,504,768 
		
	
	
		
			 2007-08 Rod licence income 
			 £ 
			  Coarse and trout 
			 Region Full Concession Junior 8 day 1 day Total C   and   T 
			 North East 2,153,305 274,988 89,060 50,943 162,767 2,731,062 
			 Anglian 2,784.842 290,876 106,620 69,983 154,395 3,406,715 
			 Thames 2,890,241 259,394 101,520 83,204 202,816 3,537,174 
			 Southern 1,461,450 139,589 62,980 50,155 117,540 1,831,713 
			 South West 1,135,159 118,164 44,925 30,546 84,146 1,412,939 
			 Midlands 3,244,045 418,448 114,400 64,330 188,104 4,029,326 
			 E.A. Wales 809,358 95,660 39,490 17,841 64,734 1,027,083 
			 North West 1,790,142 208,691 69,115 40,915 82,992 2,191,855 
			 Unknown 75,338 7,571 3,085 22,435 13,770 122,198 
			 Total 16,343,877 1,813,380 631,195 430,351 1,071,262 20,290,064 
		
	
	
		
			 £ 
			  Salmon and sea trout  
			 Region Full Concession 8 day 1 day Total salmon Total 
			 North East 193,515 39,468 5,901 9,443 248,327 2,979,389 
			 Anglian 17,689 4,522 5,985 2,240 30,436 3,437,151 
			 Thames 64,838 11,937 11,487 6,027 94,288 3,631,463 
			 Southern 30,923 8,013 4,536 1,981 45,453 1,877,166 
			 South West 119,501 28,462 4,893 5,558 158,414 1,571,353 
			 Midlands 79,867 24,339 6,825 4,970 116,001 4,145,327 
			 E.A. Wales 279,699 73,350 3,864 5,642 362,555 1,389,637 
			 North West 233,216 56,259 5,628 8,477 303,580 2,495,434 
			 Unknown 18,953 4,821 3,402 1,610 28,786 150,984 
			 Total 1,038,198 251,171 52,521 45,948 1,387,838 21,677,902 
		
	
	
		
			 2008-09 Rod   l  icence   i  ncome 
			 £ 
			  Coarse and trout 
			 Region Full Concession Junior 8 day 1 day Total C   and   T 
			 North East 2,068,825 359,120 78,440 48,969 170,349 2,725,703 
			 Anglian 2,834,875 419,236 104,900 73,278 171,497 3,603,785 
			 Thames 2,928,875 361,365 97,800 84,231 221,256 3,693,527 
		
	
	
		
			 Southern 1,475,150 200,129 60,915 50,661 124,719 1,911,574 
			 South West 1,135,575 165,055 43,050 32,148 87,598 1,463,426 
			 Midlands 3,283,625 594,223 111,525 69,714 218,694 4,277,781 
			 E.A. Wales 721,225 119,796 32,760 16,596 62,290 952,667 
			 North West 1,921,250 312,605 70,650 46,521 104,307 2,455,333 
			 Unknown 23,875 2,647 1,415 18,819 9,212 55,968 
			 Total 16,393,275 2,534,175 601,455 440,937 1,169,921 21,139,762 
		
	
	
		
			 £ 
			  Salmon and sea trout  
			 Region Full Concession Junior 8 day 1 day Total   salmon Total 
			 North East 202,572 50,625 1,100 6,754 10,193 271,244 2,996,946 
			 Anglian 21,692 6,525 285 6,930 2,760 38,192 3,641,977 
			 Thames 70,856 12,915 630 12,518 7,110 104,029 3,797,556 
			 Southern 32,300 8,820 330 5,236 2,625 49,311 1,960,885 
			 South West 125,120 35,595 745 5,566 7,568 174,594 1,638,019 
			 Midlands 81,736 31,860 420 7,678 5,775 127,469 4,405,250 
			 E.A. Wales 281,452 88,560 2,315 4,972 5,790 383,089 1,335,756 
			 North West 246,228 73,845 1,525 6,754 9,465 337,817 2,793,150 
			 Unknown 7,616 2,745 90 2,816 1,733 15,000 70,967 
			 Total 1,069,572 311,490 7,440 59,224 53,018 1.500,744 22.640,506 
		
	
	
		
			 2009-10 Rod licence income 
			 £ 
			  Coarse and trout 
			 Region Full Concession Junior 8 day 1 day Total C   and   T 
			 North East 2,345,954 416,622 84,345 52,991 195,451 3,095,363 
			 Anglian 3,173,690 502,924 111,805 75,630 194,999 4,059,047 
			 Thames 3,268,668 430,112 99,300 89,775 253,229 4,141,083 
			 Southern 1,647,542 243,001 63,710 51,956 139,594 2,145,802 
			 South West 1,270,334 200,549 44,865 33,032 93,909 1,642,688 
			 Midlands 3,642,938 695,158 117,785 70,376 238,928 4,765,184 
			 E.A. Wales 820,820 145,211 34,585 16,701 65,275 1,082,592 
			 North West 2,153,476 368,012 73,060 46.313 114,937 2,755,797 
			 Unknown 42,614 5,710 1,970 25,033 12,215 87,541 
			 Total 18,366,036 3,007,296 631,425 461,805 1,308,535 23,775,096 
		
	
	
		
			 £ 
			  Salmon and sea trout  
			 Region Full Concession Junior 8 day 1 day Total   salmon Total 
			 North East 209,090 58,032 2,475 6,143 11,098 286,838 3,382,200 
			 Anglian 22,610 9,114 1,230 6,998 2,899 42,850 4,101,897 
			 Thames 80,990 15,996 2,070 13,770 8,548 121,374 4,262.457 
			 Southern 33,460 11,672 1,295 5,603 2,511 54,540 2,200,342 
			 South West 132,300 41,339 1,455 4,590 6,719 186,403 1,829,090 
			 Midlands 85,750 35,526 1,570 7,425 5,371 135,642 4,900.826 
			 E.A. Wales 288,330 101,649 3,670 4,005 4,635 402,289 1,484,880 
			 North West 255,570 85,374 2,920 5,940 8,975 358,779 3,114,575 
			 Unknown 9,450 3,209 115 3,038 1,922 17,733 105,274 
			 Total 1,117,550 361,910 — 57,510 52,677 1,606,446 25,381,542 
		
	
	
		
			 2010-11 Rod licence income 
			 £ 
			  Coarse and trout 
			 Region Full Concession Junior 8 day 1 day Total C   and   T 
			 North East 2,309,850 447,354 77,760 56,700 201,626 3,093,290 
			 Anglian 3,130,542 540,216 101,945 79,320 212,205 4,064,228 
			 Thames 3,205,548 460,602 91,915 96,430 276,908 4,131,403 
			 Southern 1,613,790 264,906 58,935 56,890 149,213 2,143,734 
			 South West 1,256,607 218,304 39,840 33,770 104,895 1,653,416 
			 Midlands 3,629,124 751,302 110,320 74,270 268,403 4,833,419 
		
	
	
		
			 E.A. Wales 682,020 134,532 26,540 14,830 64,065 921,987 
			 North West 2,205,279 409,482 70,910 54,320 140,063 2,880,054 
			 Unknown 46,089 7,452 1,955 24,640 12,068 92,204 
			 Total 18,078,849 3,234,150 580,120 491,170 1,429,444 23,813,733 
		
	
	
		
			 £ 
			  Salmon and sea trout  
			 Region Full Concession Junior 8 day 1 day Total   salmon Total 
			 North East 205,848 59,616 2,850 7,337 12,512 288,163 3,381,453 
			 Anglian 21,816 9,552 1,285 7,590 2,976 43,219 4,107,447 
			 Thames 82,368 17,232 1,975 12,673 8,744 122,992 4,254,395 
			 Southern 33,336 12,048 1,200 4,807 2,536 53,927 2,197,661 
			 South West 129,024 42,672 1,555 4,715 6,616 184,582 1,837,998 
			 Midlands 90,504 38,928 1,710 7,613 5,424 144,179 4,977,598 
			 E.A. Wales 251,856 92,448 3,660 4.669 5,928 358,561 1,280,548 
			 North West 256,536 91,584 3,160 7,222 9,984 368,486 3,248,540 
			 Unknown 9,936 3,360 85 4,025 2,224 19,630 111,834 
			 Total 1,081,224 367,440 17,480 60,651 56,944 1,583,739 25,397,472 
		
	
	
		
			 Forecast   r  od   l  icence   i  ncome 2011-12 
			 £ 
			  Coarse and trout 
			 Region Full Concession Junior 8 day 1 day Total C   and   T 
			 North East 2,218,911 429,742 74,699 54,468 193,688 £2,971,507 
			 Anglian 3,007,292 518,948 97,931 76,197 203,850 £3.904,219 
			 Thames 3,079,345 442,468 88,296 92,634 266,006 £3,968,749 
			 Southern 1,550,255 254,477 56,615 54,650 143,338 £2,059,335 
			 South West 1,207,134 209,709 38,271 32,440 100,765 £1,588,321 
			 Midlands 3,486,245 721,723 105,977 71,346 257,835 £4,643,126 
			 E.A. Wales 655,169 129,235 25,495 14,246 61,543 £885,688 
			 North West 2,118,457 393,361 68,118 52,181 134,548 £2,766,666 
			 Unknown 44,274 7,159 1,878 23,670 11,592 £88,573 
			 Total 17,367,083 3,106,821 557,281 471,833 1,373,166 £22,876,184 
		
	
	
		
			 £ 
			  Salmon and sea trout  
			 Region Full Concession Junior 8 day 1 day Total   salmon Total 
			 North East 197,744 57,269 2,738 7,048 12,019 276,818 3,248,325 
			 Anglian 20,957 9,176 1,234 7,291 2,859 41,517 3,945,736 
			 Thames 79,125 16,554 1,897 12,174 8,400 118,150 4,086,899 
			 Southern 32,024 11,574 1,153 4,618 2,436 51,804 2,111,138 
			 South West 123,944 40,992 1,494 4,529 6,356 177,315 1,765,636 
			 Midlands 86,941 37,395 1,643 7,313 5,210 138,503 4,781,629 
			 E.A. Wales 241,940 88,808 3,516 4,485 5,695 344,444 1,230,133 
			 North West 246,436 87,978 3,036 6,938 9,591 353,979 3,120,644 
			 Unknown 9,545 3,228 82 3,867 2,136 18,857 107,431 
			 Total 1,038,656 352,974 16,792 58,263 54,702 1,521,387 24,397,571

Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bridgend of 30 March 2011, Official Report, column 341W, on bovine tuberculosis: cattle, what representations (a) she and (b) her officials have made at EU level on the legal framework required to permit vaccination of cattle against bovine tuberculosis; and if she will make a statement.

James Paice: The possible future use of cattle vaccines is discussed regularly at both ministerial and official level with the European Commission. The Commission has indicated that any changes to the legal framework cannot be considered until a vaccine is ready for licensing, a DIVA test (to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals) has been validated and sufficient evidence of the effectiveness of both is available. This work is underway and we will continue to work closely with the Commission and other member states as it progresses.

Coastal Areas: Public Footpaths

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to exercise her functions under Part 9 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to put in place a walking route around the whole of the English coast; and when she plans to announce the creation of sections of the route beyond those set out by Natural England in March 2011.

Richard Benyon: The Government plans to introduce the new right of coastal access under Part 9 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 on a 30 kilometre stretch of the English coast between Portland and Lulworth Cove in Dorset in time for the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events which begin in July 2012.
	We will be discussing with Natural England its priorities and timetable for implementation of the coastal access provisions beyond the initial coastal stretches set out by Natural England in March 2011. We will make an announcement once those discussions have been completed.

Common Fisheries Policy

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's policy is on the target contained in the communication of the European Commission on Implementing Sustainability in EU Fisheries through maximum Sustainable Yield COM (2006) 360 on the implementation of a maximum sustainable yield for fisheries by 2015.

Richard Benyon: The UK is committed to achieving the goal of managing fish stocks for the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) level, as the EU committed to at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002. We support the European Commission's proposals to move to setting total allowable catches (or TACs) in such a way to transition to MSY by 2015, where possible and believe this should be achieved through long-term management plans, where in place, and where not through a gradual approach towards MSY as provided for under the WSSD commitment.

Dairy Farming: Antibiotics

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information her Department holds on the levels of antibiotic treatments used in the dairy sector in each of the last four years.

James Paice: Amounts of antimicrobials sold as active ingredients are reported and published annually in arrears on the Veterinary Medicines website at:
	www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/public/antimicrobial_pubs.aspx
	The report specifically shows amounts of .veterinary antimicrobial products sold for use in cattle, but given that some of these products are used in either dairy or beef cattle, a distinction between use by the two sectors is not made. The report shows that over the last four reporting years the amount of antimicrobials sold for cattle as being: 10 tonnes in 2006, 9 tonnes in 2007, 10 tonnes in 2008 and 10 tonnes in 2009.
	The amounts sold as cattle intra-mammary products are included in these quantities, but are also given separately and these are: 3.35 tonnes in 2006; 3.25 tonnes in 2007; 4.09 tonnes in 2008 and 3.17 tonnes in 2009.
	The total amounts of veterinary antimicrobials used to treat all species of animals in the UK. during the same period was 405 tonnes in 2006; 387 tonnes in 2007; 384 tonnes in 2008 and 402 tonnes in 2009.
	Data for 2010 are currently being collected prior to publication later this year.

Farms: Outdoor Education

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding her Department provided for educational visits by school children to farms in the latest period for which figures are available.

James Paice: Payments are available to farmers who host farm educational visits as part of an agri-environment scheme agreement (the Higher Level Stewardship element of Environmental Stewardship, and its predecessor Countryside Stewardship).
	£1.55 million was spent on annual (revenue) payments for educational visits to farms in 2010-11, with well over 100,000 children having benefited from these visits.

Fisheries

George Hollingbery: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Environment Agency spent on employment of fisheries staff in each employment category (a) nationally and (b) in each region in the latest period for which figures are available; and how much it spent on (i) office rental, (ii) transport and (iii) other non-personnel overheads (A) nationally and (B) in each region.

Richard Benyon: The following table shows the Environment Agency Fisheries budgets for 2011-12 with allocation of costs for employment of staff delivering fisheries outcomes including building occupancy costs, travel and subsistence and other non-personnel overheads for each region and nationally (including support and once only).
	
		
			 Fisheries budgets, 2011-12 
			 £000 
			  2011-12 total Personnel costs Projects Building costs Travel and subsistence Other non-  personnel overheads 
			 Regional       
			 Anglian(1) 2,080 1,613 250 4 140 73 
			 Midlands(1) 2,772 2,216 258 6 193 100 
			 North East(1) 2,800 2,260 236 6 197 102 
			 North West(1) 2,965 2,419 220 6 211 109 
		
	
	
		
			 South East(1) 3,390 2,573 471 6 224 116 
			 South West(1) 2,585 2,101 201 5 183 95 
			 Wales(2) 7,228 5,721 198 358 380 570 
			 Total 23,820 18,904 1,834 391 1,527 1,164 
			        
			 National       
			 Evidence 968 483 439 0 29 16 
			 Communications 297 259 — 0 21 18 
			 Head Office Operations 277 241 — 0 19 17 
			 Environment and Business 1,632 1,064 410 0 85 73 
			 National Fisheries projects 2,105 0 2,105 — — — 
			 Chief Executive’s Directorate 216 188 — 0 15 13 
			 Total 5,495 2,235 2,954 0 169 136 
			        
			 Once only       
			 National Monitoring 969 790 — 4 37 137 
			 National Enforcement 2,603 1,622 762 3 82 134 
			 Legal 379 330 — — 26 23 
			 Corporate Information Systems 3,482 218 3,094 2 24 144 
			 Fleet Operations 511 75 82 0 341 13 
			 Total 7,944 3,034 3,938 9 510 452 
			        
			 Support       
			 Resources 1,154 797 270 0 55 31 
			 Finance 574 500 — — 40 34 
			 Procurement 162 141 — — 11 10 
			 Facilities(3) 1,703 365 0 *1,099 17 222 
			 Total 3,593 1,803 270 1,099 123 297 
			 Total 40,852 25,976 8,997 1,500 2,330 2,049 
			 (1) Office rental costs for English regions are paid for by National Facilities*. (2) Wales pay office rental costs themselves. (3) Facilities pay office rental costs for England. Note: Those results including “—” determine that figures have been included in the cost of projects. Results including “0” mean that there have been no costs incurred.

Fisheries: Finance

George Hollingbery: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much fisheries-specific funding from (a) grant in aid and (b) other sources of income the Environment Agency spent on (i) committees, (ii) enforcement, (iii) licence checks, (iv) monitoring, (v) fish rearing, (vi) regulation, (vii) fish kills or rescues, (viii) improvements or improvement projects, (ix) promotion and advice and (x) each other budget heading used by the Agency (A) nationally and (B) in each region in each of the last five financial years; and how much funding it has allocated in each category for 2011-12.

Richard Benyon: The following table gives details of where funding is allocated across national and regional units in 2010-11 and the planned budget for 2011-12.
	
		
			 Allocation of Environment Agency fisheries funding, 2010-11 and 2011-12 
			 £000 
			   2010-11 Budget 2011-12 
			  Department Gi  A Income Total Gi  A Income Total 
			 Regional Anglian 94 2,262 2,357 131 1,949 2,080 
			  Midlands 262 2,361 2,624 550 2,222 2,772 
			  North East 1,454 1,513 2,967 1,700 1,100 2,800 
			  North West 1,686 1,272 2,958 1,900 1,065 2,965 
			  South East 389 3,467 3,856 470 2,920 3,390 
			  South West 1,510 1,339 2,849 1,600 985 2,585 
		
	
	
		
			  Wales 4,346 2,403 6,749 4,186 3,042 7,228 
			  Subtotal 9,742 14,617 24,359 10,537 13,283 23,820 
			         
			 National Evidence 63 898 960 192 776 968 
			  Communications 7 102 109 59 238 297 
			  National Operations 87 186 273 134 143 277 
			  Environment and Business 232 1,026 1,258 358 1,274 1,632 
			  National projects 0 2,299 2,299 0 2,105 2,105 
			  CSPS 15 219 234 43 173 216 
			  Subtotal 405 4,729 5,134 786 4,709 5,495 
			         
			 Once only NMES 279 673 952 177 792 969 
			  National Enforcement Service 134 2,330 2,465 445 2,158 2,603 
			  Legal 0 482 482 75 304 379 
			  CIS 143 1,890 2,033 650 2,832 3,482 
			  Fleet ops 113 334 447 89 422 511 
			  Subtotal 669 5,710 6,379 1,436 6,508 7,944 
			         
			 Support Resources 81 1,164 1,245 411 743 1,154 
			  Finance 77 1,104 1,181 114 460 574 
			  Procurement 5 67 71 32 130 162 
			  Facilities 96 1,367 1,463 320 1,383 1,703 
			  Subtotal 259 3,702 3,961 877 2,716 3,593 
			         
			 Grand total  11,074 28,759 39,833 13,636 27,216 40,852 
		
	
	The Environment Agency undertook a full analysis of Fisheries funding in 2010 to build a detailed picture of current delivery and work programme. This review showed the current method of delivery across activities, and highlighted what activities are dependent on GiA. This approach has proved valuable in planning where changes may be made in delivery.
	The following table shows the split of funding across activities undertaken within the Environment Agency regions. Fish rearing budgets are held within regional fisheries improvement budgets.
	
		
			 Allocation of resources to Environment Agency regions for fisheries activities, 2010-11 
			 Activity Total funding (£000) Percentage funding 
			 Fisheries improvement projects 7,592 31 
			 Licence checks 2,133 9 
			 Salmon anti-poaching 3,018 12 
			 Coarse fish enforcement 612 3 
			 Regulation 1,399 6 
			 Promotion and advice 4,554 19 
			 Committees 887 4 
			 Incidents 2,296 9 
			 Monitoring 1,868 8 
			 Total 24,359  
		
	
	The following table shows allocation of fisheries funding to regions by activity for the period from 2006-07 to 2009-10.
	
		
			 Allocation of funding to regions for fisheries activities, 2006-07 to 2009-10 
			 £ 
			 Activity 2006 2007 2008 2009 
			 Committees 453 733 765 807 
			 Enforcement 3,296 4,237 4,264 4,298 
			 Licence Checks 2,734 1,991 1,991 2,132 
			 Monitoring 226 1,844 1,844 1,867 
			 Regulation 948 811 811 810 
			 Fish Kills 1,078 1,864 1,953 2,069 
			 Improvements 5,226 4,820 5,351 5,419 
			 Promotion and Advice 1,514 2,686 3,864 4,096 
			 Total 15,475 18,986 20,843 21,498

Fisheries: Finance

George Hollingbery: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what fisheries-specific grant-in-aid her Department provided to the Environment Agency in each of the last five financial years; and how much such funding she has allocated for 2011-12.

Richard Benyon: In 2006-07 and 2007-08, DEFRA provided £5.892 million grant in aid in each year to the Environment Agency specifically for fisheries. Since 2008-09, fisheries grant in aid has been combined with the Environment Agency's other funding from DEFRA, and the Environment Agency has continued to deliver equivalent outcomes.

Fisheries: Finance

George Hollingbery: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what fisheries-specific income other than grant in aid from her Department and rod licence income the Environment Agency received in each of the last five financial years; and how much such income it will receive in 2011-12.

Richard Benyon: The following table shows the fisheries specific income other than grant in aid and rod licence income received in each of the last five financial years as well as an estimated income for 2011-12:
	
		
			 Fisheries related income(excluding DEFRA grant in aid, and rod licences) 
			 £ 
			 Source of income 2006  -  07 2007  -  08 2008  -  09 2009  -  10 2010  -  11 2011  -  12  (1) 
			 Other fishing licences 134,487 196,467 190,880 148,415 179,906 189,000 
			 Fish sales 12,499 22,890 20,517 30,034 47,709 18,000 
			        
			 Grants—EC 124,065 105,870 11,576 20,643 159,021 843,000 
			 Grants—beneficiaries 79,353 33,541 10,398 31,708 80,340 (2)— 
			 Grants —lottery 26,457 — — — — (2)— 
			 Grants—other 1,217 3,760 5,081 6,972 9,879 (2)— 
			 Other income—estates 24,903 19,980 33,235 10,157 44,952 (2)— 
			 Other Income—legal costs recovered 319,574 424,710 351,122 493,798 226,951 (2)— 
			 Other income—rechargeable works 8,516 25,400 25,239 66,296 91,773 (2)— 
			 Other income—provision of information 6,258 10,148 31,369 33,533 29,082 (2)— 
			 Other income-miscellaneous 229,682 541,207 445,011 487,927 273,281 (2)— 
			
			 Total 967,011 1,383,973 1,124,428 1,329,483 1,142,894 1,050,000 
			 (1) Estimated (2) Indicates brace

Food

Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to support the sale and production of local food.

James Paice: To meet the growing demand for more food with a local and regional provenance, our food and drink producers' access to market must be improved. We are providing funding under the Rural Development Programme for England for a range of measures aimed at supporting the availability of local food, including assistance to individual food producers and retail outlets, food hubs and farmers' markets.
	I welcome the fact that retailers have put in place policies aimed at increasing the availability of regional and local food on their shelves. This provides opportunities for UK farmers to capture a greater market share by becoming more competitive.
	Research shows consumers are increasingly concerned about the origins of their food, and the Government are committed to clearer origin labelling to provide consumers with the information they need to make informed choices about the food they buy.
	We are also committed to ensuring that food procured by Government Departments, and eventually the whole public sector, meets British or equivalent standards of production wherever this can be achieved without increasing overall costs.

Litter: Publicity

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding her Department has allocated for the Love Where You Live campaign.

Richard Benyon: ‘Love Where You Live’ is a campaign run by the charity Keep Britain Tidy.
	The coalition Government provide grant funding to Keep Britain Tidy (£4 million in 2011-12) to work for improved local environmental quality, to provide advice to local and national government on all aspects of litter prevention, management and measurement. Partners from business are also making voluntary contributions to the campaign both financially and in kind.

Meat

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will assess the (a) environmental and (b) regulatory implications of the artificial cultivation of meat in laboratories.

James Paice: If the artificial cultivation of meat in laboratories shows signs of becoming a realistic commercial proposition, I will assess the environmental implications. Meanwhile, I have noted that a number of research teams are carrying out their own assessments.
	The production of artificial meat has so far been for experimental purposes only.
	The Food Standards Agency has advised that under the EU novel foods regulation, artificial meat would require pre-market evaluation and authorisation before it could be placed on the market.

National Parks

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when her Department expects to publish its review of governance arrangements for national parks and the broads.

Richard Benyon: We are carefully considering the proposals for change which each of the national park authorities and the broads authority submitted following the public consultation and we will give our response in due course.

Nature Conservation: Outdoor Education

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions Ministers in her Department have had with Ministers in the Department for Education on outdoor education and young people's access to the natural environment; and on what dates such discussions took place.

Richard Benyon: I have been in regular contact with ministerial colleagues across Government throughout the development of the Natural Environment White Paper, which sets out a range of measures on outdoor education and young people's access to the natural environment. DEFRA Ministers were in regular written communication with their counterparts in the Department of Education (DfE) throughout this process.
	Officials are continuing to engage with DfE on this issue as part of the development of the forthcoming Government-wide rural statement and DEFRA Ministers will follow this up with DfE Ministers as part of the implementation process.

Sonae: Pollution

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complaints her Department and its predecessor have received about air pollution related to the Sonae factory in Kirkby in each of the last 10 years; and what the cost to the public purse was of responding to each such complaint.

Richard Benyon: Departmental records show officials were aware of concerns about the Sonae particleboard manufacturing plant back to September 2005 and have discussed emissions issues with the local environmental health officers since then. Two parliamentary questions were asked in April 2007, and there was one exchange of correspondence each with the Council Leader and the right hon. Member in November 2007. There have, however, been no official complaints to the Department from members of the public on this issue.

Sonae: Pollution

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential effect on (a) general public health and (b) the health of the local population of air pollution related to the Sonae factory in Kirkby; and if she will estimate the cost to the NHS of treatment of any conditions attributable to such pollution.

Richard Benyon: Regulation of pollution from the Sonae particleboard manufacturing plant is the responsibility of Knowsley metropolitan borough council under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999.
	DEFRA issues guidance to local authorities on what constitutes the Best Available Techniques for minimising pollution from such factories. It would be open to the council to seek guidance from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on potential or actual impacts of emissions on general public health or the health of the local population. The HPA may, as a result, be aware of whether such emissions can be linked to any increase in NHS costs.

Tyres

Karen Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regulations govern the use of tyre bales for land engineering.

Richard Benyon: The use of waste tyre bales requires an environmental permit (or the registration of an appropriate exemption from the need for an environmental permit) under EU legislation; this is to prevent harm to human health and the environment. The EU requirements are implemented through the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010.
	The Environment Agency (EA) is the main competent authority responsible for determining applications for environmental permits and registering exemptions. The EA must be told the location of the site where the waste tyres bales are to be used as part of the application or registration procedure. A land engineering project may require planning permission from the relevant local planning authority.

Tyres

Karen Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether tyre bales used for land engineering are classified as waste for the purposes of Article 6 (1) and (2) of Directive 2008/98/EC;
	(2)  whether her Department has submitted an application under the provisions of Article 6 (4) of Directive 2008/98/EC for tyre bales used for land engineering to be considered as having ceased to be waste; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: Tyres that have been discarded are waste in accordance with article 3 of directive 2008/98/EC (the waste framework directive).
	We have not notified a decision under the procedures of article 6(4) of directive 2008/98/EC in respect of tyre bales having ceased to be waste.
	An Environment Agency and industry project is assessing the suitability of developing a quality protocol for tyre bales. A quality protocol identifies the point at which waste has been fully recovered and may be regarded as a non-waste product or material that can either be reused by business or industry, or supplied into markets without the need for waste management controls. However, further research and investigation needs to be undertaken to develop a quality protocol for tyre bales to meet the end-of-waste criteria and cease to be waste.

Waste and Resources Action Programme: Government Procurement Card

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount, (c) supplier and (d) level three or enhanced transaction entry was of each transaction undertaken by the Waste and Resources Action Programme using the Government Procurement Card in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10.

Richard Benyon: The Waste and Resources Action Programme does not use Government Procurement Cards.

TRANSPORT

Bus Services: Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on small and medium-sized bus operators of reductions to the Bus Service Operators Grant, changes to concessionary fares and reductions in county council funding.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has not made any assessment of the effect on small and medium-sized bus operators of reductions to Bus Service Operators Grant or reductions in county council funding.
	The Department has published its impact assessment for the changes to reimbursement arrangements on its website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/2010-34/ia.pdf
	A copy of the Impact Assessment for the Mandatory Travel Concession (England) Regulations 2011 has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament. Both impact assessments consider the impact of the reimbursement reforms on different sizes of bus operators.

Bus Services: Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on small and medium-sized bus companies of changes to (a) arrangements for reimbursement of concessionary fares, (b) payment method of Bus Service Operators' Grant to the administered by local authorities and passenger transport executive groups.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has published its impact assessment for the changes to reimbursement arrangements on its website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/2010-34/ia.pdf
	A copy of the Impact Assessment for the Mandatory Travel Concession (England) Regulations 2011 has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament. Both impact assessments consider the impact of the reimbursement reforms on different sizes of bus operators.
	The Department published in 2009 an impact assessment of the impact of devolution of all bus subsidy, including Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG), to local authorities which is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/buses/busgrants/bsog/ia-bsog.pdf

Bus Services: Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential effect on bus services and fares of changes to the payment method of Bus Service Operators Grant to be administered by local authorities and passenger transport executive groups.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the potential effect on bus services and fares of changes to the payment method of Bus Service Operators' Grant to be administered by local authorities and passenger transport executive groups.
	The Department published in 2009 an impact assessment of the impact of devolution of all bus subsidy, including BSOG, to local authorities which is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/buses/busgrants/bsog/ia-bsog.pdf
	The Department is working with bus operators and local government to look at smarter ways of delivering bus subsidy, and are keen to see what can be developed by consensus between local authorities and operators.

Channel Tunnel Railway Line

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the number of journeys made by freight trains travelling to and from London along the High Speed One link in each year since it opened.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport does not hold this information. This is a matter for HS1 Ltd.

Crossrail: Rolling Stock

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 24 May 2011, Official Report, column 574W, on Crossrail: rolling stock, how many carriages are to be allocated to the Manchester to Scotland subfleet as part of the London Midland allocation of 69 vehicles.

Theresa Villiers: The 69 London Midland vehicles are diesel trains that London Midland ordered in 2007 to replace older trains within their existing fleet, and therefore have no connection with the proposed new Manchester to Scotland electric trains.
	Subject to successful completion of commercial negotiations between the parties and value for money criteria being achieved, the Department expects that later this year at least 36 vehicles will be ordered for Manchester-Scotland services in combination with additional vehicles for London Midland capacity enhancement, the number of which has yet to be finalised.

Driving Offences: Insurance

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many uninsured drivers have been issued with a fixed penalty notice for the offence in each year since its introduction; and how much accrued in fixed penalty fines in each such year.

Nick Herbert: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested on the number of fixed penalty notices for vehicle insurance offences issued (and paid), from their introduction on 1 June 2003 to 2009 (latest available) is provided in the table.
	The charge imposed for these fixed penalties is £200.
	
		
			 Fixed penalty notices issued  (1)   for vehicle insurance offences, England and Wales, 2003-09 
			  Number 
			 2003(2) 458 
			 2004 1,463 
			 2005 2,688 
			 2006 6,652 
			 2007 12,960 
		
	
	
		
			 2008 16,388 
			 2009 20,045 
			 (1) Includes only fixed penalty notices paid. (2) Offence introduced in June 2003.

Driving Tests: Bury

David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department is taking steps to enable the driving test centre in Bury, Lancashire to re-open.

Michael Penning: The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is committed to re-opening the driving test centre (DTC) at Bury. The property suffered extensive damage from flooding in late 2010.
	DSA took the opportunity presented by the temporary closure to review the design and layout of the centre to improve facilities for customers and staff. However, obtaining feasibility studies, architectural and engineering plans and costings has taken longer than expected. Building works, which will be subject to a competitive tender exercise, and the planned reopening is scheduled for late 2011.

Driving: Diabetes

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to (a) amend the rules for issuing Group 2 medical licences to drivers with insulin-dependent diabetes in line with EU Directive 2009/113/EC and (b) permit insulin-dependent diabetics to obtain a Group 2 licence where, in the opinion of a qualified medical practitioner, their condition is properly controlled and they pose no risk to themselves or other road users.

Michael Penning: Proposals to revise the medical standards for vision, epilepsy and diabetes and driving were detailed in a public consultation which closed on 28 April. The responses made are now being analysed and further input from some of those who have responded may be necessary. The outcome of this will inform our decisions on what changes, if any, are appropriate.
	The medical licensing standards currently in place contribute to the UK having some of the safest roads in the world. Any decisions about changes, which may potentially relax these standards, cannot be taken lightly.

Driving: Licensing

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any changes have been made to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority form D45 in the last 10 years.

Michael Penning: The form that the hon. Member may be referring to is the D46 form which was used by drivers to renew their driving licence at the age of 70. This form was amended in March 2004 when the requirement to pay a fee for this transaction was removed. It was further amended in July 2005 to include a facility to attach a photograph of the driver. At this point, the form number was amended to the D46P.

First Capital Connect

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to investigate the events surrounding the train failure incident involving a First Capital Connect service near Kentish Town on the evening of 26 May 2011.

Theresa Villiers: The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has confirmed that it will be conducting an investigation into the incident on 26 May 2011, and in particular, looking into First Capital Connect’s response to the train failure.
	Her Majesty's railway inspectorate is also carrying out an investigation in line with its regulatory role.
	I await the findings of these bodies who are responsible for investigating such incidents.

High Speed Two Railway Line

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what date his Department is using to determine the pre-blight value of properties purchased under the HS2 Exceptional Hardship Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Philip Hammond: Valuations of properties accepted for purchase under the Exceptional Hardship Scheme are made using an independent assessment by qualified valuers. The valuers use their professional knowledge and expertise to establish the unaffected realistic open market value of the property on the date that the valuation takes place (that is, what would have been the value of the property without any adverse effect arising from proposals for a high speed rail line).

High Speed Two Railway Line

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the process is for awarding tenders to companies bidding to design trains running along the proposed High Speed 2 line from London to Birmingham; and which firms have (a) inquired about submitting and (b) submitted bids.

Philip Hammond: holding answer 23 June 2011
	No rolling stock procurement strategy has yet been determined, no procurement process commenced, and, therefore, no bids have been received. As the Department is currently consulting the public on the principle of High Speed Two (HS2) and is yet to seek powers from Parliament, it would be inappropriate to prepare a procurement strategy at this stage. However, the Department would ensure that any future procurement is undertaken in accordance with EU treaty principles which ensure fair and open competition and thereby value for money for the taxpayer. No inquiries have been received in relation to submitting bids for the design of rolling stock for HS2.

High Speed Two: Fares

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the effects of High Speed 2 on fares on (a) the west coast main line and (b) other services on similar routes.

Philip Hammond: holding answer 23 June 2011
	The business case for High Speed Two (HS2) assumes that the existing fares structure would operate on both the existing lines and on HS2. Depending on the franchise or other management and operating arrangements introduced on each respective line, it would be possible that the increase in passenger capacity would apply a downward pressure on fares. The project is currently at an early stage; subject to the outcome of the current consultation, these issues would be considered in more detail as the project is developed. Failing to provide sufficient additional capacity on the west coast and other main lines would be likely to lead to an upward pressure on fares.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Scotland

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with which bodies the Maritime and Coastguard Agency holds contracts relating to accommodation and facilities management for its offices in Scotland.

Michael Penning: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) uses 163 properties in Scotland, including volunteer Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) accommodation and radio sites. To provide contract details for all of these properties would incur disproportionate cost.
	However, the MCA currently has two main contracts relating to accommodation and facilities management for its properties in Scotland. One is with the property advisors James Barr Ltd, which provides specialist advice on building management and facilities management; and the other is with Carillion Planned Maintenance for mechanical and electrical plant maintenance and support.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Scotland

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the size is of the areas covered by the coastguard centre at (a) Shetland, (b) Stornoway, (c) Aberdeen, (d) Clyde and (e) Forth.

Michael Penning: The area of coverage in terms of square nautical miles of sea for each co-ordination centre is:
	
		
			  Area of coverage (nm  (2)  ) 
			 (a) Shetland 37,430 
			 (b) Stornoway 172,560 
			 (c) Aberdeen 20,541 
			 (d) Clyde 84,500 
			 (e) Forth 2,860

Motorways: Carbon Emissions

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential change in carbon emissions attributable to any increase in the national speed limit on a motorway from 70 to 80 miles per hour.

Michael Penning: holding answer 23 June 2011
	We are undertaking some preliminary analysis of the possible effects of changing the national motorway speed limit. This includes the potential change in carbon emissions.

Olympic Games 2012: Taxis

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on access for London taxis to designated traffic lanes during the London 2012 Olympics; and if he will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 16 June 2011
	Transport for London (TfL), which leads on the implementation of the Olympic Route Network (ORN), has received a number of representations on this matter since consultation began on the designation of the ORN in 2008.
	The ORN is a requirement of the host nation contract between London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is considered vital to ensure that athletes, technical officials, accredited media and others working at the Games can get to their events on time. It is being designed and implemented to seek to minimise disruption in London. For example, temporary Games Lanes for official Games vehicles, and blue-light emergency vehicles on call will only be used on the busiest parts of the ORN—less than 1% of London's roads—and where there is sufficient space for other traffic.
	TfL has engaged extensively with the taxi and private hire trades in the development of the ORN plans, and is currently working on information for drivers to help them make the most of the opportunities the Games offer.

Public Transport: Vandalism

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of vandalism of public transport vehicles in each of the last five years.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does not hold the information requested. These services are provided by a large number of different operators and costs from vandalism form part of the operating costs and will fall to individual operators. There is therefore no direct cost to the public purse.

Railways

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the Final Independent Report of the Rail Value for Money Study, whether he plans to publish a revised version of the Delivering a Sustainable Railway White Paper.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport's Business Plan sets out its commitment to publish a detailed policy statement on rail by the end of November 2011.

Railways: Franchises

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department uses a model ticketing and settlement agreement in its negotiations with train operating companies on rail passenger franchise contracts. [R]

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 22 June 2011
	The Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA) is the agreement between train operating companies (TOCs) that sets out how fares are created, honoured, and sold, and how revenue is settled. The TSA preserves through ticketing and ticket inter-availability, and provides the mechanism by which ticket retailing is regulated.
	Each TOC's franchise agreement with the Secretary of State, and Passenger Licence granted by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), requires it to be a party to and comply with the TSA.

Railways: Franchises

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much each train operating company holding a franchise has received from the public purse in (a) subsidy and (b) other funding since May 2010.

Norman Baker: holding answer 22 June 2011
	The Department for Transport publishes all payments to train operating companies on its website as part of the Government commitment to transparency across its operations. Details are available on the Departments website at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/transparency

Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to reform the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation to mitigate the effects on the sustainable biodiesel industry of fluctuations in certificate prices.

Norman Baker: As part of the Government's measures to address climate change, the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) ensures a growing proportion of UK road transport fuels are from sustainable renewable sources. The RTFO includes a certificate trading mechanism to increase the efficiency of compliance. The value of individual Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs) is determined by the market and depends upon the relative cost of supplying biofuel and fossil fuels. RTFCs for the obligation period 2010-11 have sold at 15p to 24p at auction. We continue to monitor the market value of RTFCs and consider that to date the RTFO has met its objective of driving a market for renewable transport fuels in the UK.
	We are currently analysing responses to proposals to amend the RTFO to implement the Renewable Energy Directive. These proposals include providing additional support for biofuels derived from waste, such as biodiesel made from used cooking oil, and advanced biofuel, so long as it meets certain mandatory standards for sustainability. This would be achieved through awarding two RTFCs to each litre of such fuel supplied.
	Crop-based biofuels will continue to get one RTFC per litre, as long as they meet the mandatory sustainability standard. So the proposed change will give twice the financial support to biofuels derived from waste, and advanced biofuel, as conventional biofuels, and no support to biofuels that do not meet required sustainability standards.

Rescue Services: VAT

Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made in implementing a VAT exemption for mountain rescue.

Michael Penning: I refer my hon. Friend to my response to the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Tim Farron) on 5 April 2011, Official Report, columns 876-77W.

Roads: Bridges

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made on the A194/A184 Whitemare Pool Bridge improvement project.

Michael Penning: Following the serious delays to these essential maintenance works, the traffic restrictions on the A184 will be lifted on 12 July, with the remainder of the works on site completed by 10 August 2011.

Salvage

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Secretary of State's Representatives for Maritime Salvage and Intervention there have been since the creation of the post; and on what date the present representative was appointed.

Michael Penning: There have been two Secretary of State's representatives (SOSREP) for maritime salvage and intervention, since the creation of the post in 1999. The present SOSREP was appointed on 1 January 2008.

Trade Unions

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any staff of his Department are entitled to work full-time on trade union activities while receiving a departmental salary.

Norman Baker: Some staff in the Department are entitled to work full-time on trade union activities and I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 17 June 2011, Official Report, column 1024W.

Transport: Finance

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to update the High Level Output Specification Statement of Public Funds Available process to include those objectives specified in his Department's business plan.

Theresa Villiers: The High Level Output Specification and the Statement of Funds will reflect the objectives specified in the Department for Transport's business plan.

JUSTICE

Angling: Licensing

George Hollingbery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people in each region were prosecuted for not being in possession of a rod licence in each of the last five financial years; what the total monetary value of fines issued in respect of such prosecutions was in each year; and how much was recovered in payment of fines in each year.

Richard Benyon: I have been asked to reply.
	The following tables show the total number of prosecutions, fines given, and total costs awarded for rod licence evasion in the past five financial years. The courts award costs to the Environment Agency. The fines given go to the Treasury.
	
		
			  Number  
			 Region Prosecutions Fines Costs   (£) 
			 Anglian 2,607 214,048 182,271 
			 North East 3,122 250,856 236,358 
			 North West 2,618 215,570 198,514 
			 Midlands 2,334 197,953 177,089 
			 Thames 4,755 422,629 340,720 
			 South West 994 89,589 70,776 
			 Wales 1,122 104,050 82,384 
			 Southern 1,771 161,539 126,373 
			 Total 19,323 1,656,234 1,414,485 
		
	
	
		
			 Total prosecutions by region for the last five years 
			  Number  
			 Region Prosecutions Fines Costs   (£) 
			 Anglian 2,607 214,048 182,271 
			 North East 3,122 250,856 236,358 
			 North West 2,618 215,570 198,514 
			 Midlands 2,334 197,953 177,089 
			 Thames 4,755 422,629 340,720 
			 South West 994 89,589 70,776 
			 Wales 1,122 104,050 82,384 
			 Southern 1,771 161,539 126,373 
			 Total 19,323 1,656,234 1,414,485 
		
	
	
		
			 Total prosecutions by r  egion,   from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2010 inclusive 
			 Region (Prosecutions) 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Total 
			 Anglian 700 681 484 465 277 2,607 
			 North East 596 693 515 739 579 3,122 
			 North West 506 691 564 426 431 2,618 
			 Midlands 383 558 596 374 423 2,334 
			 Thames 1,011 1,157 1,186 857 544 4,755 
			 South West 320 297 219 117 41 994 
			 Wales 265 233 273 246 105 1,122 
			 Southern 475 459 344 272 221 1,771 
			 Total 4,256 4,769 4,181 3,496 2,621 19,323 
		
	
	
		
			 Region   (Fines) 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-44 Total 
			 Anglian 47,247 50,783 44,225 43,968 27,825 214,048 
			 North East 31,085 40,366 44,959 74,887 59,559 250,856 
			 North West 32,063 46,155 49,599 43,029 44,724 215,570 
			 Midlands 26,059 40,976 47,807 36,904 46,207 197,953 
			 Thames 76,805 86,945 113,088 87,858 57,933 422,629 
			 South West 25,184 24,267 21,169 15,534 3,435 89,589 
			 Wales 22,280 22,004 26,519 23,808 9,439 104,050 
			 Southern 37,781 35,774 35,693 28,262 24,029 161,539 
			 Total 298,504 347,270 383,059 354,250 273,151 1,656,234 
		
	
	
		
			 Region (Costs) 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Total 
			 Anglian 42,429 43,049 34,215 33,061 29,517 182,271 
			 North East 36,126 45,429 34,740 54,563 65,500 236,358 
			 North West 31,611 46,423 40,664 29,794 50,022 198,514 
			 Midlands 24,485 37,333 40,817 26,601 47,853 177,089 
			 Thames 63,615 75,905 81,296 59,779 60,125 340,720 
			 South West 24,675 18,463 15,085 8,165 4,388 70,776 
			 Wales 16,915 16,390 20,309 16,630 12,140 82,384 
			 Southern 29,800 30,125 24,172 19,051 23,225 126,373 
		
	
	
		
			 Total 269,656 313,117 291,298 247,644 292,770 1,414,485

Convictions

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convictions for offences of (a) burglary, (b) sexual assault, (c) grievous bodily harm, (d) manslaughter, (e) attempted murder, (f) forgery, (g) fraud, (h) theft of a motor vehicle, (i) theft from a person, (j) robbery, (k) sexual activity with a child under 16, (l) sexual activity with a child under 13, (m) sexual assault of a female, (n) rape of a female, (o) sexual assault of a male, (p) rape of a male, (q) child abduction, (r) abandoning children, (s) cruelty or neglect of children, (t) wounding or other acts endangering life, (u) causing death by aggravated vehicle taking, (v) causing death by driving, unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers, (w) causing death of a child or vulnerable person, (x) causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink and drugs, (y) manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, (z) causing death by reckless driving, (aa) threat or conspiracy to murder, (bb) perverting the course of justice, (cc) violent disorder, (dd) kidnapping, (ee) blackmail, (ff) intent to supply a controlled drug, (gg) possession of a controlled drug, (hh) criminal damage, (ii) arson, (jj) common assault, (kk) dangerous driving and (ll) firearms there have been in each year since 1997; and what proportion of such convictions followed a guilty plea at the first instance in each such year.

Crispin Blunt: Defendants found guilty at all courts for requested offences in England and Wales, from 1997 to 2010 (latest available), can be viewed in the following tables.
	Plea data for specific offences, which are only available centrally for defendants tried in the Crown court, do not identify at which stage of criminal proceedings defendants entered their plea.
	
		
			 Defendants found guilty at all courts for selected offences, England and Wales,   1997 to   2010 
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
			 Burglary 31,703 30,769 29,260 26,222 24,802 26,691 25,726 
			 Grievous bodily harm(3) 6,126 6,397 6,017 5,800 5,803 6,156 5,997 
			 Manslaughter 244 266 234 238 262 299 244 
			 Attempted murder 70 64 70 65 46 65 94 
			 Forgery 7,362 7,102 6,611 5,839 5,923 5,903 6,250 
			 Fraud 14,597 17,200 17,788 16,868 15,892 15,574 15,030 
			 Theft of a motor vehicle 1,713 1,552 1,380 1,079 1,038 1,079 1,094 
			 Theft from a person 5,742 5,495 5,691 5,673 6,008 6,498 6,542 
			 Robbery offences 5,589 5,542 5,626 5,891 6,822 7,711 7,303 
			 Sexual activity with a child under 16 199 225 189 214 214 228 248 
			 Sexual activity with a child under 13(4) — — — — — — — 
			 Sexual assault of a female 2,484 2,453 2,411 2,223 2,170 2,219 2,132 
			 Rape of a male 42 43 58 41 50 44 44 
			 Rape of a female 573 630 594 552 517 600 626 
			 Sexual assault on a male 479 440 457 410 347 371 335 
			 Child abduction 40 51 71 50 59 59 82 
			 Abandoning children 1 1 1 — 1 — 1 
			 Cruelty or neglect of children 390 390 469 448 415 444 494 
			 Wounding or other acts endangering life 1,864 1,775 1,622 1,531 1,595 1,699 1,675 
			 Causing death by aggravated vehicle taking offences 7 18 7 12 14 10 13 
			 Causing death by driving unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers(5) — — — — — — — 
			 Causing death of a child or vulnerable person(6) — — — — — — — 
			 Causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink and drugs 62 63 46 53 51 66 60 
			 Manslaughter due to diminished responsibility 27 15 22 19 20 24 24 
			 Causing death by reckless driving 205 203 173 193 227 228 233 
			 Threat or conspiracy to murder 503 488 457 428 383 448 543 
			 Perverting the course of justice 1,990 2,288 2,242 2,059 2,222 2,033 1,938 
			 Violent disorder 796 871 785 760 668 886 819 
			 Kidnapping 398 345 377 342 348 387 408 
			 Blackmail 180 194 166 112 110 133 126 
			 Intent to supply a controlled drug 5,405 5,549 5,069 4,607 4,405 4,452 4,834 
			 Possession of a controlled drug 27,577 35,782 36,616 33,845 34,958 38,134 39,633 
			 Criminal damage 33,678 36,055 37,380 36,790 36,044 37,786 39,528 
			 Arson 1,582 1,393 1,380 1,436 1,500 1,493 1,485 
			 Common assault 20,636 24,109 26,405 26,260 26,609 28,947 32,281 
			 Dangerous driving 4,535 4,413 4,008 4,090 4,174 4,915 5,451 
			 Firearms(7) 2,740 2,784 2,302 2,123 2,148 2,177 2,290 
		
	
	
		
			 Total 179,539 194,965 195,984 186,273 185,845 197,759 203,583 
		
	
	
		
			  2004 2005 2006 2007 2008(1) 2009(2) 2010 
			 Burglary 24,251 22,951 22,955 23,821 23,882 22,983 23,909 
			 Grievous bodily harm(3) 6,071 5,938 5,891 6,248 6,076 6,465 6,739 
			 Manslaughter 265 260 212 226 248 219 209 
			 Attempted murder 96 66 79 87 93 91 89 
			 Forgery 6,008 5,771 5,073 5,579 5,408 4,297 3,393 
			 Fraud 14,788 14,609 14,636 15,444 15,164 16,742 17,656 
			 Theft of a motor vehicle 992 925 945 952 923 852 812 
			 Theft from a person 6,531 6,289 6,314 6,718 6,563 5,904 6,369 
			 Robbery offences 7,481 7,083 8,105 8,828 8,475 8,645 8,498 
			 Sexual activity with a child under 16 306 522 670 644 722 762 844 
			 Sexual activity with a child under 13(4) 30 123 181 206 205 200 233 
			 Sexual assault of a female 2,252 1,949 1,831 1,871 1,892 1,867 2,194 
			 Rape of a male 49 68 75 82 67 65 91 
			 Rape of a female 693 727 787 790 854 932 967 
			 Sexual assault on a male 356 289 221 232 228 203 222 
			 Child abduction 71 80 81 64 61 55 81 
			 Abandoning children — — 2 1 1 2 — 
			 Cruelty or neglect of children 541 482 488 493 586 720 710 
			 Wounding or other acts endangering life 1,897 1,872 1,721 1,913 1,879 1,886 1,905 
			 Causing death by aggravated vehicle taking offences 11 22 9 19 4 10 5 
			 Causing death by driving unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers(5) — — — — 1 11 22 
			 Causing death of a child or vulnerable person(6) — — 2 6 6 13 4 
			 Causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink and drugs 62 66 65 67 46 35 41 
			 Manslaughter due to diminished responsibility 22 21 12 21 20 8 13 
			 Causing death by reckless driving 241 255 223 233 221 225 154 
			 Threat or conspiracy to murder 576 600 518 470 438 420 472 
			 Perverting the course of justice 1,959 2,054 2,055 1,855 1,861 1,797 1,871 
			 Violent disorder 921 833 618 684 634 466 631 
			 Kidnapping 397 375 402 396 395 427 371 
			 Blackmail 138 139 177 138 152 176 182 
			 Intent to supply a controlled drug 4,887 5,097 5,062 5,499 6,443 6,349 7,353 
			 Possession of a controlled drug 27,802 27,320 28,040 31,722 38,087 41,342 43,406 
			 Criminal damage 41,719 41,327 41,317 43,070 41,328 39,576 38,547 
			 Arson 1,512 1,486 1,573 1,550 1,573 1,461 1,478 
			 Common assault 38,329 44,745 49,260 52,692 52,319 52,789 55,438 
			 Dangerous driving 5,360 4,695 4,314 4,118 3,534 3,387 3,182 
			 Firearms(7) 2,464 2,421 2,023 2,113 2,050 1,850 1,676 
			 Total 199,078 201,460 205,937 218,852 222,439 223,232 229,767 
			 (1) Excludes convictions data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. (2 )Revisions have been made to 2009 figures to account for the late receipt of a small number of court records. (3) Grievous bodily harm offences form part of the offence group of malicious wounding offences. (4) Prior to 2003, it was not possible to separately identify sexual activity with a child under 16 with sexual activity with a child under 13. (5) Offence introduced by the Road Safety Act 2006. (6) Offence introduced by the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. (7) Includes possession, certificate related and miscellaneous firearms offences. Notes: 1. The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3. Sexual assault includes indecent assault from offences prior to the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which introduced a large number of new offences which resulted in changes in the coverage of many of the offence classes shown in this table. As a result many of the figures for 2004 onwards are not comparable with those before. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Coroners: Appeals

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the average cost of appealing against a coroner's decision through judicial review in each of the last five years.

Jonathan Djanogly: No analysis of the cost of judicial review applications against coroners’ decisions has been made by this Department. This is because the Ministry of Justice would not be a party to judicial review proceedings which name the coroner as the defendant.
	Costs incurred during judicial review proceedings against a coroner will be usually met by the coroner’s local authority and the applicant bringing the proceedings.

Coroners: Dismissal

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on what grounds an individual holding the post of HM Coroner can be removed from that office.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 gives the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice joint responsibility for the system for considering and determining complaints about the personal conduct of all judicial office holders in England and Wales including Coroners. The Office for Judicial Complaints supports the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice in this role.
	The only ground for the removal of a Coroner is personal misconduct or behaviour. It is not possible to provide a definitive list of offences that would result in removal from office as each case is considered on its own merits. The Lord Chancellor may only exercise his power to remove a Coroner from office with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice.

Coroners: North East

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was paid to HM Coroner for the Cleveland area in remuneration in the last 12 months.

Jonathan Djanogly: Coroners are independent judicial office holders who are appointed and paid for by the relevant local authority. The remuneration of the Teesside coroner is a matter for the coroner and his local authority.

Courts

Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average number of defendants per case was in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: In 2010, the average number of defendants involved in committed and sent for trial cases completed the Crown court was 1.2 defendants. During the same period, on average, there was 1.01 defendants involved in cases committed for sentence and 1.0 defendant involved in cases appealing against decisions made in the magistrates courts.
	Information on the average number of defendants in criminal cases in completed at the magistrates courts can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since 2009, information on cases is collected on central systems, but cannot be readily extracted and collated at the present time due to the way the data are held.

Crime and Security Act 2010: Prosecutions

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were prosecuted for a qualifying offence under section 7 of the Crime and Security Act 2010 between (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2009-10.

Crispin Blunt: The available information required to answer this question is currently being collated. I will write to the right hon. Member as soon as it is available. A copy will be placed in the House Library.

Crown Courts

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many unrepresented defendants in the Crown court there were between June 2009 and June 2010; and how many there have been since the roll-out of means testing for representation in the Crown court in June 2010.

Jonathan Djanogly: Between June 2009 and December 2009, there were 972 unrepresented defendants in the Crown court.
	Statistics for 2010 are not available but these will be published by the Ministry of Justice in the statistical bulletin “Judicial and court statistics” on 30 June 2011, which will be available on the Ministry’s website at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/courts-and-sentencing/judicial-annual.htm

Drugs: Custodial Sentence

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people received a custodial sentence for drug offences in (a) Kent and (b) Dartford constituency in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: Defendants sentenced to immediate custody for drug offences in Kent police force area, 2006-10 can be viewed in the table.
	It is not possible to identify from data collated centrally by the Ministry of Justice the number of defendants sentenced for drug offences in Dartford constituency; as court proceedings data are not collated at parliamentary constituency level.
	
		
			 Number of persons sentenced to an immediate custody for drug offences in Kent police force area, 2006-10  (1, 2) 
			 Drug offences 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Immediate custody 205 224 315 350 339 
			 Other sentences 403 488 904 947 1,091 
			 Total sentenced 608 712 1,219 1,297 1,430 
			 (1 )The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Employment and Support Allowance: Appeals

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2011, Official Report, columns 686-87W, on appeals: employment and support allowance, for what reasons it is not possible to identify the number of live employment support appeals in (a) Wrexham and (b) Wales.

Jonathan Djanogly: To ensure the consistency and integrity of data, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service only provides data based upon published statistics which, in the case of social security and child support (SSCS) appeals, are now published on a regular monthly basis. It is only possible to obtain specific local data on the number of live cases in the system which is consistent with the official statistics when the data run for those statistics is generated. I will therefore arrange for the UK, Wales and Wrexham information as at the end of June to be supplied to the hon. Member when that month’s SSCS data are published.

Employment and Support Allowance: Appeals

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many appeals against decisions on applications for (a) disability living allowance and (b) employment and support allowance there have been in each of the last three years.

Jonathan Djanogly: The following table shows the number of appeals received at Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) against decisions on applications for disability living allowance and employment and support allowance in each of the last three years.
	
		
			  Appeals received 
			  Disability living allowance Employment and support allowance 
			 2008-09 70,200 (1)1,300 
			 2009-10 71,700 126,800 
			 2010-11 79,500 197,400 
			 (1) Employment and support allowance (ESA) was introduced in October 2008 and replaced incapacity benefit (IB). The first appeals against ESA decisions were not received until January 2009 and this is reflected in the figure above. 
		
	
	In response, HMCTS has significantly increased its capacity and published management information shows that 38% more social security and child support appeals were cleared nationally in April 2011 compared to April 2010 (65% more when compared with April 2009). Further capacity increases are in hand.

Harassment: Custodial Sentence

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many persons convicted of an offence under the terms of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 in each of the last three years were placed on a perpetrator's programme as part of a community or custodial sentence.

Crispin Blunt: The information would require a manual search of court records at a disproportionate cost, as MOJ do not centrally hold data on persons placed on a perpetrator’s programme.

Immigration: Greater Manchester

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many immigration matter starts are allocated in the Greater Manchester access area.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is responsible for administering the legal aid scheme in England and Wales. Following a tender process between 30 November 2009 and 28 January 2010, the LSC awarded contracts to nine organisations to deliver a total of 2,410 matter starts in asylum services and 2,386 matter starts in immigration services across the Greater Manchester access point.

Legal Aid: Domestic Violence

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what definition of domestic violence his Department uses for the purposes of its White Paper on legal aid reform.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Legal Services Commission does not currently use any particular definition of domestic violence. Funding is not limited just to persons who have suffered actual physical violence. Similarly, we did not include a specific definition of domestic violence in the consultation paper “Proposals for the Reform of Legal Aid in England and Wales” nor in the Government’s response to the consultation. Legal aid will remain available for applications for civil remedies for domestic violence under the Family Law Act 1996, and for injunctions to restrain abusive behaviour, as at present. For private family law cases, such as disputes about children or finance following the breakdown of a relationship, legal aid will be available for victims of domestic violence where there is objective evidence of the need for protection. The circumstances that will be accepted as evidence of the need for protection are not restricted to physical violence.

National Offender Management Service: Procurement

Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much funding each division of the National Offender Management Service spent on commissioning and contracting activities in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: The National Offender Management Service central accounting system does not routinely record data in this format. To obtain information requested on costs on commissioning and contracting activities would therefore incur disproportionate cost.

Prison Sentences

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people received immediate custodial sentences for breach of trust offences of theft, false accounting and fraud in each of the last five years.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Crispin Blunt: The number of persons sentenced to an immediate custody at all courts for offences relating to theft, false accounting and fraud offences in England and Wales from 2006 to 2010, can be viewed in the following table.
	
		
			 Persons sentenced to an immediate custody at all courts for offences of theft, false accounting and fraud, England and Wales, 2006-10  (1,2) 
			 Offence 2006 2007 2008  (3) 2009  (4) 2010 
			 Theft 18,041 18,190 19,510 18,603 20,744 
			 False accounting 114 73 61 55 55 
			 Fraud 2,239 2,027 2,228 2,724 2,733 
			 (1) The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3)Excludes convictions data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. (4 )Revisions have been made to 2009 figures to account for the late receipt of a small number of court records. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Prisoners: Disciplinary Proceedings

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners have lost remission for disciplinary offences in the last 12 months; and how many such prisoners lost remission of (a) up to one month, (b) one to three months, (c) three to six months or (d) more than six months.

Crispin Blunt: The latest available Offender Management Caseload Statistics, which may be accessed on the Ministry of Justice website at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/prisons-and-probation/omcs-annual.htm
	show that in 2009 the disciplinary punishment of additional days was imposed on 11,550 occasions. The statistics do not show how many prisoners this figure relates to, since a punishment may be imposed on the same prisoner more than once, whenever he or she is found guilty of a disciplinary offence. The maximum number of additional days that may be imposed for an offence is 42, but prisoners may accumulate additional days for a number of proven offences during their sentence. Statistics on the total number of days that have been imposed on prisoners are not available centrally, and could be obtained only by examining the records of every prisoner who has undergone an adjudication over the last year.

Prisoners: Mental Health

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department and its predecessor have spent on measures to improve the mental health of prisoners in each year since 1995.

Paul Burstow: I have been asked to reply.
	We do not have any information for the period prior to 2003 when the Home Office was responsible for the funding of all health care for prisoners.
	National health service primary care trusts have been responsible for commissioning offender health services including mental health since 2006. Primary care trusts base their decisions about funding on joint strategic needs assessments. The Department does not collect the total amount spent on mental health services for offenders.
	In addition to money spent by NHS primary care trusts the Government have also funded some initiatives centrally including the dangerous and severe personality disorder programme where funding from the NHS and National Offender Management Service currently stands at £69 million. The Government will shortly be responding to the consultation on the offender personality disorder pathway implementation plan.
	From 2006 to 2009 over £600,000 was invested to provide prison officers with training and the skills to better understand and support prisoners with mental health problems.
	The Government's spending review committed us to taking forward proposals to invest in mental health diversion services at police stations and courts to intervene at an early stage, diverting offenders with mental health problems away from the justice system and into treatment where appropriate. These services will be rolled out nationally over the spending review period, subject to business case approval.
	At a joint Health and Criminal justice Programme/Revolving Doors Agency conference in March, I announced a programme of diversion pathfinder sites, supported with a £5 million investment in the coming year:
	£3 million investment in 40 adult diversion sites in 2011-12; working with 20 of these diversion pathfinders to help build the business case for diversion; and
	£2 million towards up to 60 youth sites for diversion and extending pilots to other areas of the country.

Prisons: Gyms

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was spent on gymnasium and sporting equipment in each prison establishment in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The National Offender Management Service's central accounting system does not hold separate expenditure details on gymnasium or/and sporting equipment. In order to obtain the costs, local records would need to be examined at each establishment. The costs would then need to be extracted, disaggregated and then centrally collated and reviewed. To establish these costs would therefore incur a disproportionate cost.

Representation Orders

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many applications for Representation Orders at the Crown Court have been outstanding after 28 days in 2011 to date.

Jonathan Djanogly: Since the implementation of Crown court means testing (completed at the end of June 2010), all applications for legal aid in Crown court cases are processed by the relevant magistrates court except for the following very limited cases;
	Proceedings in the Crown court which are referred to in section 12(2)(f) Access to Justice Act 1999 (contempt proceedings) or
	An alleged breach of an order of the Crown court, where it appears to the court there is no time to instruct a litigator.
	Where an individual is brought before the court in pursuance of a warrant (Bench Warrant) issued under section 81 of the Senior Courts Act 1981
	HMCTS does not centrally collate specific data on the time taken to process applications for representation orders where the case is already in Crown court or on the number of applications for representation which have taken more than 28 days.

Squatting

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he plans to launch a consultation on proposals for reform of the law on squatting.

Crispin Blunt: We are aiming to publish the consultation paper before the summer recess.

Trespass: Railways

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) arrests, (b) charges and (c) convictions for offences related to (i) trespass and (ii) vandalism on the railway system there have been in each of the last 10 years.

Crispin Blunt: It is not possible to identify from data collated centrally by the Ministry of Justice the number of defendants convicted for offences in relation to trespassing and vandalism on the railway system.
	The information on arrests and charging are the responsibility of the Home Office and Crown Prosecution Service.

Vandalism: Sentencing

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what discussions he has had with the Magistrates' Association on sentencing policy for vandalism, trespass or graffiti-related offences on railway lines.

Crispin Blunt: Ministers have had no discussions with the Magistrates' Association about sentencing for offences on railway lines. There is a wide range of offences which may be applicable to criminal behaviour on railway lines, from minor vandalism to very serious offences such as obstructing lines with intent to endanger passengers. Sentencing is entirely a matter for the courts, taking account of all the circumstances of each case and any relevant sentencing guidelines. There are, for example, magistrates sentencing guidelines on criminal damage, which the courts must follow.

Young Offender Institutions

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which wings within HM Young Offender Institution (a) Rochester and (b) Portland are to be re-rolled to provide accommodation for prisoners aged over 21 years; and how many places this will create for adult prisoners in each establishment.

Crispin Blunt: Young adults sentenced to detention in a young offender institution (DYOI) are detained in young offender institutions (YOIs) as required by section 98 of the Powers of the Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000. These are normally self-contained but in some establishments that have a dual designation (designed both as a prison and a YOI) young adults are held alongside adults with which they share the majority of their facilities. Whatever the location, young adults detained in YOIs have separate sleeping accommodation.
	At HMP/YOI Portland, Nelson wing has been assigned to hold adult prisoners and will provide around 70 adult places.
	At HMP/YOI Rochester, F, G, H and R wings have been assigned to hold adult prisoners and will provide around 300 adult places.

HEALTH

Bed Bugs: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Government on a potential outbreak of cimex lectularius.

Anne Milton: The Department has not had any discussions with the Welsh Government on this issue.

Blood Transfusion Services: Wales

Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions the NHS Blood Transfusion Service has had with the Welsh Blood Service on the assumption of responsibility by the Welsh Blood Service for collection of blood in the area of Mid and North Wales currently covered by the NHS Blood and Transfusion Service based in Liverpool.

Anne Milton: The responsibility for blood donation and transfusion in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Government. I understand that no discussions have taken place between NHS Blood and Transplant and the Welsh Blood Service about collecting blood in Mid and North Wales. On 15 June 2011, the Minister for Health and Social Services for Wales said that Local Health Boards, through their collective work on the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, are continuing their review of the costs and benefits of securing a blood transfusion service for the whole of Wales from Velindre NHS Trust. The outcome of the review is expected in the autumn.

Cancer: Drugs

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much each primary care trust has received from the Cancer Drugs Fund;
	(2)  how much was spent from the Cancer Drugs Fund in each region in the latest period for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: The Department does not collect this information at primary care trust level. We have made £200 million available to strategic health authorities (SHAs) for the Cancer Drugs Fund in 2011-12.
	SHA shares have been calculated using the national weighted capitation formula and these are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Region Allocation (£ million) 
			 North East SHA 11.3 
			 North West SHA 29.6 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber SHA 21.0 
			 East Midlands SHA 16.9 
			 West Midlands SHA 21.6 
			 East of England SHA 20.6 
			 London SHA 30.5 
			 South East Coast SHA 15.6 
			 South Central SHA 13.7 
			 South West SHA 19.2 
			 Total 200.0 
		
	
	It is for SHA regional clinically led panels to make decisions on the use of the funding.
	Information on expenditure from the Cancer Drugs Fund since 1 April 2011 is not yet available.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of employees of his Department's agencies, categorised by (a) seniority, (b) voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Simon Burns: The Cabinet Office has recently commissioned monthly workforce management reports from Departments and their agencies across Whitehall, which include numbers of, and expenditure on, permanent and non-permanent workers. This forms part of the Government's cross-departmental transparency agenda. This information will be made publicly available in due course.
	The Department's agency, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), already publishes its annual resource accounts, which includes workforce information. The MHRA also provides quarterly returns (Quarterly Public Sector Employment Surveys) to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and an annual return to ONS for their Annual Civil Service Employment Survey. The MHRA also publishes, again, as part of the Government's transparency agenda, organograms (organisational structure charts) which include staffing structures, numbers and pay levels.

Departmental Procurement

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions in respect of behavioural standards have been included in procurement contracts issued by his Department since May 2010.

Simon Burns: All contracts issued by the Department are subject to terms and conditions of purchase specific to the category of goods and services to be procured.
	The terms and conditions cover the obligations of the procuring authority (ie the Department) and the supplier as defined by the Department's own financial instructions, current United Kingdom legislation and, where applicable, European Union legislation. These include:
	discrimination and human rights;
	health and safety;
	corrupt gifts or payments;
	intellectual property rights; and
	data protection.
	In addition:
	requirements with a value in excess of £10,000 are subject to the Department's formal tender process; and
	requirements with a value in excess of £101,000 are subject to a tender process that is compliant with EU legislation in the form of the Public Contract regulations 2006 ("PCR 2006"), as amended.
	Such tenders contain supplier appraisal questions in the form of a pre-qualification questionnaire and/or a formal invitation to tender. The PCR 2006 contains mandatory and discretionary requirements for contracting authorities to exclude organisations from public contracts when they or their Officers have been convicted of certain offences. Other legal and ethical criteria are also included, eg to identify conflicts of interest.

Departmental Redundancies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancies in its non-departmental bodies (a) in 2011-12 and (b) over the comprehensive spending review period.

Simon Burns: Government estimates of the costs of the proposals for reform to the Department and the national health service are contained in pages 11-14 of the “co-ordinating document” for the impact assessment for the Health and Social Care Bill, published alongside the Bill on 19 January 2011. These include figures for the Department's arm's length bodies, which are comprised of its Executive non-departmental public bodies, special health authorities and agencies. The document is available at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsLegislation/DH_123583
	The document has already been placed in the Library.
	The Government will publish a revised impact assessment for the Health and Social Care Bill in due course, reflecting the changes we propose to make in response to the NHS Future Forum.

Departmental Reorganisation

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much was saved through his Department’s modernisation process in each month since May 2010;
	(2)  if he will publish monthly reports on the savings made under his Department’s modernisation process.

Simon Burns: Estimates of the future savings from our proposals for modernising the national health service—including from a one third reduction in the cost of administration—were set out in an impact assessment published in January 2011. Following the report of the NHS Future Forum and the Government’s response, an updated impact assessment will be published in due course. The Department will report regularly on progress towards delivering those savings but we have no plans to publish monthly reports.
	While most savings will accrue in the years of this spending review, some elements of modernisation have already delivered savings in 2010-11. In January 2011, we announced savings of £162 million had been made by applying controls over central spending on consultancy, information technology, administration and advertising. Those savings were made available to reinvest in services to support people leaving hospital.

Doctors

Steven Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of secondary care doctors working for the NHS undertook no private work in the last financial year for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: This information is not held centrally. Contractual arrangements are matter for the individual doctor and their employer.

Doctors: Standards

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the General Medical Council on assessing the competence of doctors in their proposed health commissioning role through the revalidation process.

Simon Burns: The Department is working in partnership with the General Medical Council to deliver an effective system of revalidation for doctors in England. Annual appraisals will underpin the revalidation process and these appraisals should be based upon the whole of a doctors' practice. For some doctors, this will include an element of commissioning health services.
	In addition, under our proposals the NHS Commissioning Board will hold clinical commissioning groups to account for stewardship of national health service resources and the outcomes they achieve.

Drugs: Safety

Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the outcome of the Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency consultation on unlicensed medicines;
	(2)  when he expects the Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency review of unlicensed medicines to publish its conclusions;
	(3)  what progress the Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has made in its review of the regulatory arrangements for unlicensed medicines.

Simon Burns: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is currently reviewing the United Kingdom's regulatory arrangements for unlicensed medicines established under Article 5 (1) of Directive 2001/83/EC taking account of the informal consultation which took place in 2009 and subsequent engagement with a range of interested parties in 2010 and in March 2011. Work continues on assessing the impact of the possible options for reform with a view to undertaking a public consultation exercise to take place later in 2011 on formal proposals for reform.

Drugs: Safety

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs’ recommendation that foil be exempted from section 9A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; what his policy is on the use of foil as a harm reduction technique among injecting heroin users; and when he expects to reach a decision on the council’s recommendation.

Anne Milton: The issues raised in the Advisory Council’s recommendation relate both to the Home Office and more widely to the policy on patient health and harm reduction lead by the Department of Health. Departmental officials are working closely with Home Office officials to ensure that our joint interests are recognised in the Government’s response to the recommendation, which will be published soon.

Drugs: Side Effects

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of the number of deaths due to adverse reactions to prescribed drugs in the last three years for which figures are available;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of treating patients who have had adverse reactions to prescribed treatments in the latest period for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: Reports of 'suspected' adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are collected by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Commission for Human Medicines (CHM) through the spontaneous reporting scheme; the Yellow Card Scheme. The scheme collects ADR reports from across the whole United Kingdom and includes all medicines, including those from prescriptions, over-the-counter or general retail sales. Reports are also received for herbal medicines and other unlicensed medicines.
	The following table provides a breakdown of the total number of UK spontaneous 'suspected' ADR reports received by the MHRA during the last three years with a fatal outcome.
	
		
			  Number of reports 
			 2008 1,298 
			 2009 1,190 
			 2010 1,450 
		
	
	It should be noted these data represent all UK spontaneous 'suspected' ADR reports with a fatal outcome received through the Yellow Card Scheme. The data cannot be stratified according to how the medicine was obtained.
	The fourth Patient Safety Observatory report estimated that preventable harm from medicines could cost more than £750 million each year in England. This figure includes what is known of litigation costs.
	The estimate of cost to the national health service of avoidable harms related to taking prescribed medicines was calculated from the best available evidence of the incidence of side effects and most recent hospital activity and cost data. It excludes costs of harm in the community (where the majority of drugs are prescribed, dispensed and administered) which did not result in hospital admissions. As such, it is likely to underestimate the scale of the problem.
	Addressing the impact of adverse drug reactions on public health is a key concern for the MHRA. A study funded by the MHRA and published in the British Medical Journal on 2 July 2004(1) was conducted in two large hospitals in Merseyside in order to ascertain the current burden of ADRs in the NHS. The study found that of 18,820 patients aged over 16 years admitted to hospital over a six month period, there were 1,225 admissions judged to be related to an ADR, giving a prevalence of 6.5%. Of these 1,225, the ADR was judged to lead directly to the admission in 80% of cases. The median bed stay was eight days, accounting for 4% of the hospital bed capacity. The projected annual cost of such admissions to the NHS was £466 million.
	(1) BMJ. 2004 Jul 3;329(7456):15-9 Adverse drug reactions as cause of admission to hospital: prospective analysis of 18,820 patients. Pirmohamed M, James S, Meakin S, Green C, Scott AK, Walley TJ, Farrar K, Park BK, Breckenridge AM. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE.

General Practitioners

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 76W, on general practitioners, what mechanism his Department has put in place to monitor the capacity of GPs to achieve good clinical care by assessing a patient's history including the symptoms and psychological and social factors; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: Primary medical services are provided by general practitioners (GPs) under contracts with local primary care trusts, in England, and local health boards, in Wales. Under the terms of these contracts, GPs are required to provide appropriate ongoing treatment and care to their patients taking account of their specific needs. In line with General Medical Council guidance, this should include taking account of psychological and social factors.
	It is for local primary care trusts, or local health boards, to monitor the delivery of primary medical services under the contractual arrangements. Any patient who is not happy with the treatment provided by their GP practice can raise a complaint through the national health service complaints procedure.

General Practitioners

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of whether his proposals on GP commissioning will result in the employment of more GPs by the NHS in the next five years.

Simon Burns: We have proposed that it would be a requirement for every general practitioner (GP) practice to be part of a clinical commissioning group and to contribute to its goals. However, our proposed model will mean that not all GPs have to be actively involved in every aspect of commissioning. Their predominant focus will continue to be on providing high quality primary care to their patients. It is likely to be a smaller group of GPs and clinicians who would lead a clinical commissioning group and play an active role in the clinical design of local services.

Health Services: Alcoholic Drinks

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people completed alcohol treatments provided by the NHS in each region in the last 12 months; how much was spent on such treatment in each region in that period; and what criteria his Department uses to determine whether a course of alcohol treatment has been completed.

Anne Milton: The number of people completing alcohol treatments in each region of England is provided in the following table. The amount of money spent on treatment by each region of England is not collected centrally. Successful completion is a clinical decision that the client no longer requires structured alcohol treatment interventions, because either they are abstinent from alcohol, or any alcohol use is judged by the clinician not to be problematic or not to require treatment.
	
		
			 Successful completions, 2009-10 
			 Region Number 
			 London 4,391 
			 North East 1,947 
			 South East 4,022 
			 Eastern 3,492 
			 West Midlands 2,870 
			 South West 2,585 
			 East Midlands 2,485 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 2,878 
			 North West 5,810 
			 Missing region code 53 
			 Total 30,533 
			 Notes: 1. The National Alcohol Treatment Monitoring System figures provided are for 2009-10, the most recent period in which independently verified national statistics are available. 2. Figures relate to alcohol treatment provided by national health service and voluntary and independent sector providers.

Health Services: Drugs

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people completed drug treatments provided by the NHS in each region in the last 12 months; how much was spent on such treatment in each region in that period; and what criteria his Department uses to determine whether a course of drug treatment has been completed.

Anne Milton: The number of adults who completed drug treatment in each English region in 2009-10 is set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Region Number of successful completions 2009-10 
			 East Midlands 1,676 
			 East of England 2,116 
			 London 4,941 
			 North East 1,396 
			 North West 4,600 
			 South East 2,762 
			 South West 1,996 
		
	
	
		
			 West Midlands 2,279 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 1,914 
			 Total 23,680 
		
	
	Figures provided here are for 2009-10, the most recent period in which independently verified national statistics are available.
	
		
			 £ 
			 Region Central funding: Pooled treatment budget 2010-11 Local funding: Mainstream funding 2010-11 
			 East Midlands 27,234,000 12,030,000 
			 East of England 27,113,000 18,592,000 
			 London 76,934,000 46,966,000 
			 North East 24,145,000 12,972,000 
			 North West 65,095,000 33,244,000 
			 South East 39,471,000 26,675,000 
			 South West 32,531,000 25,952,000 
			 West Midlands 41,377,000 19,893,000 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 47,401,000 19,933,000 
			 Total 381,301,000 216,258,000 
			 Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand. 
		
	
	These figures represent drug treatment commissioned by the NHS from NHS and independent sector providers.
	Successful completion is a clinical decision that the client no longer requires structured drug treatment interventions (including any prescription of substitute drugs), because they are abstinent from the drug for which they were treated, not using heroin (or other opioids) or crack cocaine, and any other drug use (either illicit or licit) is judged by the clinician not to be problematic or to require treatment.

Health Services: Hearing Impairment

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department provides to deaf and hard of hearing people for translation services during hospital appointments.

Paul Burstow: National health service organisations must assure themselves that they have complied with the Equality Act 2010. This includes advancing equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic, including a disability such as hearing loss, and those who do not. Advancing equality involves, for example, taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people.
	It would be for local NHS organisations to make appropriate translation services available during hospital appointments. However, the NHS Equality and Diversity Council chaired by Sir David Nicholson, NHS chief executive, has a strategic role to support the NHS to deliver better outcomes for patients, comply with the Equality Act 2010 and ensure services and work places are personal, fair and diverse with equality of opportunity and treatment for all.

Health Services: Warrington

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the potential effects on patient safety of reductions in services being implemented by Warrington and Halton NHS Trust.

Simon Burns: No assessment has been made by the Department. It is for the national health service locally to ensure local health services offer the best quality care for patients, including patient safety.
	The Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has said it is working to identify potential efficiencies and savings, through productivity improvements, use of technology, efficient use of facilities such as operating theatres and more effective and efficient staff planning.
	We are supporting the NHS to meet the efficiency challenge by focusing on areas where it is possible to simultaneously increase quality and productivity. In areas where the NHS has requested support, the Department has developed national workstreams to aid the service to meet this challenge.

Liver Diseases

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the number of people who will be diagnosed with (a) liver disease and (b) hepatitis C in (i) 2015, (ii) 2020 and (iii) 2025; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: The Department has not made estimates of future numbers of individuals with liver disease in 2015, 2020 and 2025.
	The Health Protection Agency (HPA) published estimates of the number of individuals with hepatitis C related liver disease in 2015 in “Hepatitis C in the UK: The Health Protection Agency Annual Report 2009” (December 2009), a copy of which has been placed in the Library. The HPA is due to publish updated estimates, including for 2020, on World Hepatitis Day (28 July 2011).

Medical Equipment

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the NHS takes to reclaim assistance equipment loaned to patients on discharge from hospital and out-patient clinics at the end of its use; which NHS trusts (a) reclaim and (b) reissue equipment; and what the cost to the NHS was of issuing such equipment in (i) 2009 and (ii) 2010.

Paul Burstow: It is the responsibility of the local national health service to monitor and arrange for the recovery of assistance equipment, where this is safe and cost-effective.
	Information on the expenditure, reclaims and reissuing of assistance equipment by the NHS is not held centrally as it is Government policy to reduce burdens on local councils and primary care trusts who would be the bodies responsible for collecting this data.

Medicine: Education

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with representatives of universities on the teaching of skills that medical students will need to deliver his proposed health commissioning responsibilities.

Anne Milton: The content and standard of undergraduate medical education is the responsibility of the General Medical Council (GMC). There is no national curriculum for medical schools. Each medical school is responsible for developing its own curriculum, subject to meeting the requirements of the GMC. The GMC is committed to ensuring that doctors are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to meet all the demands which will be placed on them in practice.

Mental Health Services

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the compliance of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on access to psychotherapy services with his policy on NHS access.

Paul Burstow: No such assessment has been made. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and does not make recommendations based on government policy, but on evidence. NICE does not produce guidelines on access to psychotherapy services. Guidelines are produced on a range of conditions for which certain types of psychotherapy may be appropriate, and they recommend such treatments according to the evidence.
	However, should a patient be referred to a consultant-led psychotherapy service, the NHS constitution maximum waiting times rights would apply.

NHS: Disciplinary Proceedings

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS was of providing staffing cover for (a) doctors and (b) nurses suspended pending disciplinary investigation or action in each year between 2000 and 2010.

Simon Burns: The cost for providing staffing cover for doctors and nurses suspended pending disciplinary investigation or action in each year between 2000 and 2010 is not available. As national health service trusts, foundation trusts, primary care trusts and strategic health authorities are independent employers in their own right they have the responsibility for all employment decisions about their staff and this includes suspension.
	We do however have information from the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS) a national service that supports local health care managers to understand, manage and prevent performance concerns with practitioners (doctors, dentists, pharmacists). They provide general advice on performance management and good practice. NCAS does not collect information on nurses.
	NCAS has been monitoring numbers of exclusion and suspension episodes since 2005. NCAS has provided such information as is available in the following table:
	
		
			 Use of exclusion and suspension from work among for doctors only in England 
			  H&C exclusions GP suspensions All new episodes 
			 2005-06 90 50 140 
			 2006-07 74 55 129 
			 2007-08 101 68 169 
			 2008-09 111 71 182 
			 2009-10 135 76 211 
			 2010-11 (April to September) 64 41 105 
			 Note: In the NHS, primary care organisations ‘suspend’ general practitioner doctors and dentists (GPs) while employed hospital and community (H&C) practitioners are ‘excluded’. Both measures mean that practitioners are separated from their work. Source: National Clinical Assessment Service

NHS: Reorganisation

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to ensure that independent contractors to primary care trusts are remunerated according to the terms of their contract under his proposals for reorganisation of the NHS; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the NHS complies with Government guidance on prompt payment to suppliers.

Simon Burns: As part of the preparation for the new national health service landscape, the Department is taking forward a workstream to ensure that the contractual obligations of primary care trusts are taken into full consideration in the development of the new health bodies.
	As set out in the Better Payment Practice Code for NHS trusts, primary care trusts and strategic health authorities, the Government recognise the importance of paying suppliers promptly and in line with contractual requirements, and this will continue to be the case under our proposals for modernising the NHS.

North West Strategic Health Authority

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the notes and minutes of (a) his meeting with NHS North West on 15 February 2011 and (b) meetings held by the Managing Director of Provider Development and the Director of Provider Delivery for the North West to discuss plans for trusts to achieve foundation status.

Simon Burns: A copy of the note from the meeting with NHS North West on 15 February 2011 has been placed in the Library. Copies of the notes of the meetings held by the Managing Director of Provider Development and the Director of Provider Delivery for the North West will be placed in the Library once the tripartite formal agreements have been signed for the remaining NHS trusts in the region. To release these documents ahead of these agreements being signed could prejudice the decisions and plans currently being finalised.

Out-patients: Attendances

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 443W, on out-patients: attendances, for how long the measures to reduce non-attendance rates for hospital appointments specified in the answer have been in place; and what the change has been in the proportion of patients not attending during the period such measures have been in operation.

Simon Burns: The Department does not collect information on local measures to reduce non-attendance rates for hospital appointments.
	There is no standard for preventing missed appointments however national health service organisations will wish to minimise missed appointments, to make best use of staff time and NHS resources.
	Data on missed appointments have been collected since 1996-97 and missed appointments as a proportion of activity is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Quarter Total out-patient appointments Total DNA DNA rate (percentage) 
			 1996-97 — 46,380,294 5,507,525 11.9 
			 1997-98 — 47,264,698 5,629,429 11.9 
			 1998-99 — 47,803,368 5,648,971 11.8 
			 1999-2000 — 48,923,209 5,882,510 12.0 
			 2000-01 — 49,524,159 5,954,819 12.0 
			 2001-02 Q1 12,131,302 1,447,988 11.9 
			 2001-02 Q2 12,269,663 1,497,897 12.2 
			 2001-02 Q3 12,508,694 1,482,281 11.9 
			 2001-02 Q4 12,670,166 1,476,681 11.7 
			 2002-03 Q1 12,144,267 1,404,383 11.6 
			 2002-03 Q2 12,225,098 1,439,395 11.8 
			 2002-03 Q3 12,402,669 1,445,051 11.7 
			 2002-03 Q4 12,757,890 1,476,270 11.6 
			 2003-04 Q1 12,448,677 1,429,212 11.5 
			 2003-04 Q2 12,744,320 1,498,702 11.8 
			 2003-04 Q3 12,661,822 1,468,101 11.6 
			 2003-04 Q4 13,141,946 1,481,138 11.3 
			 2004-05 Q1 12,507,436 1,414,819 11.3 
			 2004-05 Q2 12,802,583 1,473,179 11.5 
			 2004-05 Q3 12,667,798 1,405,808 11.1 
			 2004-05 Q4 12,498,850 1,415,260 11.3 
			 2005-06 Q1 12,627,177 1,389,597 11.0 
			 2005-06 Q2 12,616,340 1,421,933 11.3 
			 2005-06 Q3 12,472,455 1,366,227 11.0 
			 2005-06 Q4 13,102,006 1,419,108 10.8 
			 2006-07 Q1 12,490,449 1,357,995 10.9 
			 2006-07 Q2 12,527,887 1,388,963 11.1 
			 2006-07 Q3 12,294,692 1,310,587 10.7 
			 2006-07 Q4 12,833,162 1,378,590 10.7 
			 2007-08 Q1 12,454,245 1,326,439 10.7 
			 2007-08 Q2 12,735,549 1,356,302 10.6 
			 2007-08 Q3 12,823,463 1,373,064 10.7 
			 2007-08 Q4 13,110,018 1,364,777 10.4 
			 2008-09 Q1 13,416,666 1,406,894 10.5 
			 2008-09 Q2 13,640,626 1,453,738 10.7 
			 2008-09 Q3 13,619,779 1,448,204 10.6 
			 2008-09 Q4 13,840,455 1,495,402 10.8 
			 2009-10 Q1 13,816,089 1,397,918 10.1 
			 2009-10 Q2 14,195,211 1,479,746 10.4 
			 2009-10 Q3 14,160,090 1,454,654 10.3 
			 2009-10 Q4 14,423,638 1,523,165 10.6 
			 2010-11 Q1 14,136,380 1,408,536 10.0 
			 2010-11 Q2 14,575,542 1,449,008 9.9 
			 2010-11 Q3 13,979,143 1,453,974 10.4 
			 2010-11 Q4 14,519,753 1,408,928 9.7 
			 Note: DNA = Did not attend. Source: Department of Health; Quarterly Activity Return

Perinatal Mortality: Research

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much funding allocated by his Department for research into stillbirth causes and prevention was spent on research on the role of the placenta in stillbirth in the last 10 years; what research projects were carried out; and at which institutions;
	(2)  how much funding allocated by his Department for research into stillbirth was spent on research on (a) understanding unexplained stillbirths and (b) growth restriction in the last 10 years; what research projects were carried out in each case; and at which institutions;
	(3)  how much his Department has spent on each research project on stillbirth causes and prevention which it has sponsored in the last 10 years; and which institutions carried out such research.

Simon Burns: The Department's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and Policy Research Programme (PRP) fund a range of research relating to stillbirth causes, risk factors and prevention.
	The NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme is currently funding a £6.0 million trial of an intelligent system to support decision making in the management of labour using the cardiotocogram. The study started in 2009 and is led by University College London. It will test whether an intelligent computer program can help midwives and doctors improve the care they give in response to abnormalities of the baby's heart rate and whether this will lead to fewer babies being harmed because of a lack of oxygen.
	The HTA programme is also funding a £1.4 million trial of nicotine replacement therapy in pregnancy led by the University of Nottingham, and a £1.2 million trial of physical activity as an aid to smoking cessation during pregnancy led by St. George's, University of London.
	Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded a £1.1 million NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Research on improving pregnancy outcome in obese women.
	The NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre has an ongoing programme of research on women's health. A major focus of this research is understanding the determinants of stillbirth risk. The researchers are building on basic science studies in oxidative stress, placental transport, genomic imprinting, maternal-fetal immune reactions and application of genomic technology in order to develop an integrated method of screening pregnant women. This will both determine their risk of adverse perinatal outcomes and identify novel genetic and molecular markers for adverse perinatal outcomes.
	Details of projects funded through programmes managed by the NIHR Central Commissioning Facility (CCF) can be found on the CCF website at:
	www.ccf.nihr.ac.uk/Pages/FundedProgrammes.aspx
	Details of projects funded through programmes managed by the NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Centre (NETSCC) can be found on the NETSCC website at:
	www.netscc.ac.uk/
	Details of studies hosted by the NIHR Clinical Research Network can be found on the UK Clinical Research Network portfolio database at:
	http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search
	Details of research funded by the PRP are available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/Researchanddevelopment/Policyresearchprogramme/index.htm
	Prior to the establishment of the NIHR in April 2006, the main part of the Department's total health research expenditure was devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. From April 2006 to March 2009, transitional research funding was allocated to these organisations at reducing levels. Records of individual NHS supported research projects collected up to September 2007 are available on the archived national research register (IMRR) at:
	www.nihr.ac.uk/Pages/NRRArchiveSearch.aspx

Psychiatry

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the methodologies used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the formulation of its guidelines on psychotherapy.

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the consultation of professional organisations in the field of psychotherapy by National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on its guidelines on psychotherapy; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with professionals in the fields of psychotherapy and counselling on the formulation by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence of its guidelines on psychotherapy; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: As an independent body, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is responsible for developing and reviewing its own processes and methods for the development of guidance. We have not had any discussions with professionals in the fields of psychotherapy and counselling on this issue.
	Since 1 June 2011, the Department has so far received around 25 representations, including the hon. Members’ questions, on NICE guidance which addresses the use of psychotherapy.

Radiotherapy

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to section 6.12 of his Department’s document, Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer, whether this funding can be used for the acquisition of new radiotherapy equipment by hospitals.

Paul Burstow: “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer” sets out our commitment to expand radiotherapy capacity by investing over £150 million in additional funding over the next four years.
	Commissioners can use this funding to purchase additional radiotherapy services from providers through locally negotiated tariffs or other payment mechanisms. Providers may use this income to purchase additional radiotherapy equipment to meet the increased demand.

Radiotherapy

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will take steps to ensure that any stereotactic body radiation therapy commissioning consortium established as a result of the recommendations of the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group Implementation Group's report on stereotactic body radiation therapy contains patient representatives;
	(2)  what consideration the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group Implementation Group gave to including in its report on stereotactic body radiation therapy an assessment of the most recent technological advances in radiotherapy equipment for the treatment of cancer tumours that move during irradiation; and if he will request the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to assess the potential use of such technologies;
	(3)  for what reason the report of the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group Implementation Group did not set a tariff for the treatment of lung cancer by stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Paul Burstow: The National Radiotherapy Implementation Group (NRIG) report, “Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) Guidelines for Commissioners, Providers and Clinicians in England 2011”, which has been made available on the National Cancer Action Team website, made a comprehensive assessment of the technology capable of delivering SBRT. A copy of the NRIG report has been placed in the Library.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) can now use the report to identify whether there are any indications for SBRT that would be appropriate for them to evaluate further via the Medical Technologies Advisory Committee or other programmes at NICE.
	The assessment undertaken in the report included consideration of whether the technology could deliver radiotherapy that takes account of the movement of tumours during treatment (intra- and inter-fraction motion management). It was not within the scope of the group tasked with producing the report to set a tariff for the treatment of lung cancer with SBRT. However, the report does recommend the development of a tariff for SBRT, and, in our new cancer strategy, we have said we will investigate the potential development of a range of tariffs to incentivise high quality, cost-effective services, including the newest radiotherapy techniques.
	SBRT is commissioned as a specialised service by regional Specialised Commissioning Groups and as informed by the Specialised Services National Definitions Set. Our intention, subject to parliamentary approval, is that in the future services such as SBRT for people with rare and complex cancers should be directly commissioned by the National Health Service Commissioning Board (NHS CB).
	The Government's response to the Future's Forum report re-confirmed and strengthened ‘no decision about me without me’ as a principle that will be central to how the new organisations operate. A Specialised Services Transitional Oversight Group has been formed, supported by a Specialised Services Patient and Public Engagement Steering Group, to make sure that public and patient voice informs the proposed NHS CB's plans for commissioning Specialised Services.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

State Retirement Pensions: Age

Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what recent discussions she has had with her ministerial colleagues on changes to the state pension age for (a) men and (b) women; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a range of issues.
	As the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), said during the debate on the second reading of the Pensions Bill on 20 June 2011, the Government are committed to the state pensions age being equalised in 2018 and rising to 66 by 2020. However, as he also said:
	“I recognise the need to implement the change fairly and manage the transition smoothly. I hear the specific concern about a relatively small number of women, and I have said that I will consider it. I say to my colleagues that I am willing to work to get the transition right, and we will”.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Gordon Birtwistle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of armed forces personnel serving on operations in Afghanistan are members of the Territorial Army.

Nick Harvey: As at 31 May 2011 approximately 3% of UK armed forces personnel identified as deployed on overseas operations in Afghanistan were members of the Territorial Army.
	The precise figure will vary on a daily basis due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, mid-tour rest and recuperation, temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, visits and the roulement of forces.

Armed Forces: Council Tax

Gordon Birtwistle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to (a) encourage local authorities to extend the exemption from council tax for members of the armed forces on operational duty and (b) increase the council tax rebate provided by his Department.

Andrew Robathan: Council tax for properties other than service accommodation is a local authority matter. However, we encourage local authorities to give due discretion where possible and to assist members of the armed forces deployed on operations overseas.
	The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), announced on 16 May 2011, Official  Report, columns 25-27, that we will increase the rate of council tax relief, provided by the Ministry of Defence, for military personnel serving on operations overseas, from 25% to 50%.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to take a decision on the future procurement of a second tranche of the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle Foxhound.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence's wider requirement for Foxhound is currently under consideration. A decision on the second tranche will be made in due course and announced to the House in the usual way.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are deployed on the ground in territory controlled by the Libyan Transitional National Council.

Nick Harvey: There are fewer than 20 members of the UK armed forces temporarily based in Benghazi, as the Defence advisory team to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office diplomatic mission and the mentoring team in support of the National Transitional Council.
	The precise number of personnel overseas fluctuates on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including the roulement of forces, visits and a range of other factors. We do not, therefore, publish actual figures for personnel deployed.

Nuclear Weapons

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential effects of the UK nuclear deterrent on the level of nuclear proliferation; and what steps he is taking to discourage and reduce nuclear proliferation.

Nick Harvey: There is no evidence to suggest that the UK nuclear deterrent has any bearing on the pursuit of nuclear weapons by those who currently seek to develop them. The UK maintains a minimum credible deterrent and is committed to working towards the long term goal of a world without nuclear weapons.
	The nuclear non-proliferation treaty remains the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime, and the primary basis for our efforts to tackle proliferation. We support multilateral efforts to reduce the threat of proliferation such as through the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group, by promoting high standards for sensitive transfers of materials and technology and engaging with key partners on a bilateral basis. We remain determined to work with the international community to control proliferation, to build trust and confidence between nuclear and non-nuclear weapon states, and to take tangible steps towards a safer and more stable world where countries with nuclear weapons ultimately feel able to relinquish them. We strongly believe that sustainable global disarmament can be achieved only through a multilateral process.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Bangladesh: Overseas Aid

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations he has received on the use of UK development aid by the government of Bangladesh.

Alan Duncan: I have just returned from a visit to Bangladesh, where I met the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a number of her Ministers. The Government of Bangladesh strongly welcomed the UK's continued and growing support to achieving development results in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister particularly welcomed the focus on social services and improving the status of women. Specific representations from the Government included discussion of literacy rates and providing basic health services, disaster management, climate change adaptation and the Food Security Country Investment Plan.

Conflict Prevention

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when his Department plans to publish its Building Stability Overseas strategy.

Andrew Mitchell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence are working together on the coalition Government's Building Stability Overseas Strategy. The new Strategy will be published before the Houses rise for the coming summer recess.

Developing Countries: Biofuels

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment his Department has made of the effects of biofuel production on developing countries; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen O'Brien: The Department for International Development recognises the need for the UK and developing countries to balance the competing demands on land for fuel and food. We also recognise the need to ensure that bio-energy production does not jeopardise food security of poor people in developing countries.
	DFID encourages the development of biofuels in consumer and producer countries which is compatible with a broader development agenda. Together with other Government Departments, DFID has been successful in ensuring that UK and EC policy takes into account the impact (positive and negative) of biofuels on developing countries.

Developing Countries: Education

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding his Department is providing to assist in the achievement of the millennium development goal in respect of universal access to education for all children in each of the next four financial years.

Stephen O'Brien: The coalition Government are committed to supporting access to basic services in the developing world, and education—particularly for girls—is a critical part of this. Earlier this year, the Department for International Development reviewed its bilateral and multilateral aid programmes, examining the impact and effectiveness of its programmes. The results have informed our future education policy to ensure that we help as many children as possible into a quality education. By 2014 we will be supporting at least 11 million children in school (9 million in primary and 2 million in secondary).
	Detailed information on education expenditure by country programme over the comprehensive spending review period is set out in operational plans for each DFID country office. These are available on the DFID website:
	www.dfid.gov.uk
	Additional allocations will also be made through multilateral channels contingent on sustained performance and results over the period.

Developing Countries: Education

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made at the (a) G20 and (b) UN on the future of the millennium development goal in respect of universal access to education for all children.

Stephen O'Brien: My Department is in regular dialogue with all key international organisations to galvanize activity towards the millennium development goal (MDG) of universal primary education. My Department is involved with the G20 Development Working Group, which is committed to improving the levels of skills development in low income countries. We are also involved in various United Nations bodies and use these to push for progress on the education MDGs when appropriate.

Developing Countries: Health Services

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to his UN counterparts on the number of frontline nurses, midwives and doctors employed in developing nations.

Stephen O'Brien: The UK fully recognises the central importance of health workers in accelerating progress towards our health goals. The UK is a strong supporter of the UN Secretary-General's Global Strategy for Women and Children, launched at the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2010, which sets out the need for between 2.5 and 3.5 million additional health workers. This commitment to health workers is reflected in DFID's own corporate performance framework and operational plans.
	The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the importance of health workers in a speech at the "Every Woman Every Child" event to launch the Global Strategy, which took place during the UN General Assembly in 2010. DFID Ministers and officials will continue to raise the issue with their UN counterparts in the appropriate fora.

Developing Countries: Vaccination

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department plans to contribute to measures to increase the numbers of children in developing countries vaccinated or immunised against disease in each of the next four financial years.

Andrew Mitchell: Over the next five years the British taxpayers will vaccinate a child in the poorest countries every two seconds and save a child's life every two minutes. Total UK support to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI) over the next four years is as follows:
	
		
			 Financial year £ million 
			 2011-12 214 
			 2012-13 302 
			 2013-14 365 
		
	
	
		
			 2014-15 336 
		
	
	UK support will help GAVI vaccinate over 55 million children over 2011-14. Our full support up to 2015 will vaccinate over 80 million children and save more than 1.3 million lives in the world’s poorest countries.
	DFID has also committed £40 million in 2011-12 and up to the same amount in 2012-13 to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and is contributing to improving children's access to lifesaving immunisations through our work with individual countries, where we have programmes to strengthen the capacity of countries' own health systems to provide vital services including childhood immunisation.

Somalia: Overseas Aid

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what priorities his Department has set in respect of Puntland.

Andrew Mitchell: For the period covering 2011-15, DFID’s support to Puntland will focus on programmes in health, governance and security, employment generation and humanitarian assistance. For example, this assistance will increase access to skilled birth attendance for an additional 10,000 women in Puntland, support the development of the fisheries sector contributing to the creation of long-term jobs, and increase court use by 50% with over a fifth of Puntland’s judges receiving professional training.

Somalia: Overseas Aid

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development to what extent resilience is to be integrated into his Department’s operational plan for Somalia.

Andrew Mitchell: My Department is currently supporting pastoralists and farmers to strengthen their resilience through emergency livelihood protection activities.
	Following publication of the Department’s Operational Plan for Somalia, officials are appraising measures to increase the resilience of households and communities through more predictable funding. This will encourage partners to plan their work over a longer term, in line with Government’s response to the recent Humanitarian Emergency Response Review.

Somalia: Water

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department plans to spend on water and sanitation in Somalia in 2011-12.

Andrew Mitchell: My Department is providing emergency water and sanitation services to pastoralists and farmers in 2011-12 through humanitarian agencies such as Oxfam, the United Nations Common Humanitarian Fund for Somalia and International Committee of the Red Cross. These activities are part of a wider package of assistance which responds to urgent needs.
	We aim to provide 450,000 people with clean water, sanitation and hygiene services in 2011-12. We do not yet have a firm figure for spend. Our total humanitarian budget for Somalia for 2011-12 is currently £19 million.

TREASURY

Air Passenger Duty: Northern Ireland

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when he expects to announce the outcome of his Department's review of the effects of air passenger duty on Northern Ireland;
	(2)  what recent assessment he has made of the effects of air passenger duty on the competitiveness of airports in Northern Ireland.

Justine Greening: The Government undertook a consultation on air passenger duty from 23 March to 17 June 2011. The Government will consider the views and evidence submitted by interested parties and will publish a summary of responses in the autumn.

Armed Conflict: Libya

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the reserve provided for the purposes of implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 remains.

Danny Alexander: The Treasury has been working with MOD to refine the estimate of net additional military costs for operations associated with the UK commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1973. MOD Ministers provided an updated estimate of the net additional costs of the operation to the House on 23 June 2011, Official Report, column 24WS.
	All net additional costs of military operations in Libya will be fully met from the reserve and there is therefore no fixed budget. Costs should however be modest compared to other operations such as Afghanistan.

Banks: Finance

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent steps his Department has taken to secure (a) EU and (b) G20 agreement on (i) the baseline proportion of equity capital that banks should hold relative to their assets, (ii) separation between retail banking and wholesale and investment banking and (iii) the bank levy rate.

Mark Hoban: The information is as follows:
	Proportion of equity capital relative to assets
	The G20 leaders endorsed the Basel Committee's recommendations for reforms to the prudential and liquidity frameworks at the November 2010 meeting in Seoul. The Government are expecting European Commission proposals on the implementation of the Basel reforms through further amendments to the capital requirements directive (CRD) later this year. The Government have had several discussions with the European Commission and member states on this issue.
	Banking subsidiarisation
	The Financial Stability Board's (FSB) current work programme is focused on improving the loss absorbency and resolvability of global systemically important banks.
	This work is vitally important to ensuring long-term financial stability and economic growth. We are engaging actively on this project and working closely with the FSA, bank and international partners as the debate intensifies in the run up to the Cannes G20 summit in November.
	The Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) published its interim report in April. The Government expect ICB's findings to contribute to the international debate and they look forward to the publication of the final report in September.
	Bank l evy
	Bank levies have been discussed regularly at ECOFIN since May 2010. However, the Government believe it is right that the detailed design of such levies should be determined by member states to reflect different domestic circumstances and tax systems.

Banks: Regulation

Andrew Love: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he had with the Independent Commission on Banking on the proposals contained in its interim report, Consultation on Reform Options, prior to 15 June 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: The Government set up the Independent Commission on Banking to enable an open, public dialogue about the complex issues of banking reform and the Commission has led an open debate on these issues. The Government are continuing to actively engage with the Commission and other interested parties ahead of the publication of its final report.
	I made a statement to the House on 16 June 2011, Official  Report, columns 959-61, on regulatory and banking reform. The Government will now await the Commission's complete report on 12 September before making any final decisions.

Budgets

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many interim Government budgets are set by reference to a proportion of gross national income.

Danny Alexander: holding answer 21 June 2011
	The Government have not set any Department's budget solely by reference to gross national income (GNI). However, the Government did set out plans in the 2010 spending review to increase official development assistance (ODA) spending to 0.7% of GNI from 2013, in line with the UK's international commitments to help the very poorest in the world. ODA spending is divided between a number of Departments.

Business: Northern Ireland

Naomi Long: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on sources of funding support for small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Ireland.

Mark Hoban: The Government recognise the importance of improving the availability of finance in Northern Ireland and published, on the 24 March, a consultation document on rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy.
	Treasury Ministers and officials have discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.

Departmental Billing

John Denham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many invoices received by his Department were paid (a) on time and (b) late in each month since May 2010; and what the monetary value was of invoices paid late.

Justine Greening: A record of the Treasury's performance against contractual invoice payment times, usually 30 days, is not held centrally and could not be provided within the disproportionate costs threshold. The Department's aim is to pay all valid goods and services invoices within five working days and this applies to all suppliers of goods and services.
	Details of the Treasury Group's performance against this five working day aim since May 2010 can be found on the Department's website at:
	www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/group_payment_performance.htm

Economic Situation: EU Countries

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has had recent discussions with the International Monetary Fund on the merits of providing further financial assistance to eurozone countries experiencing sovereign debt crises.

Mark Hoban: The Chancellor is the UK’s Governor of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In this role, he represents the UK at International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) meetings twice a year. IMFC meetings consider a range of issues relating to the global economy and the role of the IMF. The most recent IMFC meeting was held in Washington DC in April.
	The UK’s day-to-day work at the IMF is conducted by our executive director at the IMF’s executive board. As with every IMF programme, the Greek, Irish and Portuguese programmes are reviewed every three months by the executive board.
	The UK executive director and his team will also engage with IMF staff and other country representatives on a regular basis at a working level.

Economic Situation: EU Countries

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of the level of the Government’s total gross exposure to (a) Greece, (b) Ireland and (c) Portugal, including the UK share of loans provided through the EU and International Monetary Fund; and what the total gross exposure is of RBS plc to each country.

Mark Hoban: Regarding euro area financial assistance, €48.5 billion has been committed to Portugal and Ireland under the European financial stabilisation mechanism (EFSM). The UK has a contingent liability for any lending by the EFSM in proportion to the UK share of the EU budget (around 14%).
	A bilateral loan of £3.227 billion is available to Ireland, which cannot be drawn until after the approval of the third quarterly IMF review.
	In addition, €78.5 billion has been committed from the IMF to Greece, Ireland and Portugal. It is not possible to provide the UK’s exposures to specific IMF programmes as the UK contributes funds to the IMF as a whole, rather than to any country-specific programme.
	Royal Bank of Scotland has published information on country risk in their Q1 2011 interim management statement, available at the following link:
	http://www.investors.rbs.com/results_presentations

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Tony Baldry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects payments to be made to Equitable Life policy holders; and in what order such payments will be made.

Mark Hoban: First payments from the Equitable Life Payment Scheme will be made at the end of this month. The Equitable Life Payment Scheme design document, laid before Parliament on 16 May, sets out the prioritisation principles for the scheme.

Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were prosecuted by HM Revenue and Customs for offences related to alcohol fraud in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10.

Justine Greening: The Crown Prosecution Service is responsible for prosecuting cases related to alcohol duty fraud. The numbers of people prosecuted were:
	
		
			  Number 
			 (a) 2007-08 19 
			 (b) 2008-09 16 
			 (c) 2009-10 22

Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions officials of his Department have had with their international counterparts on measures to tackle alcohol fraud.

Justine Greening: Under the European Union Mutual Assistance arrangements HMRC is working closely with officials across the European Union to tackle specific threats to UK revenue from alcohol fraud. This work involves sharing intelligence and exchanging information in accordance with the EU arrangements.

Financial Services

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 5 April 2011, Official Report, column 893W, on financial services, when he expects to receive letters from the remuneration committee chair of each bank confirming its commitments as part of Project Merlin have been met.

Mark Hoban: The Remuneration Committee chair of each bank has written to the Financial Services Authority to confirm that their firm's 2010 pay settlements are consistent with the commitments in the Merlin statement.

Free Movement of Capital

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the effect on the UK economy of the imposition of capital controls between the EU as a whole and the rest of the world under Article 66 of the EU Treaty.

Mark Hoban: Article 66 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union states that:
	“Where, in exceptional circumstances, movements of capital to or from third countries cause, or threaten to cause, serious difficulties for the operation of economic and monetary union, the Council, on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Central Bank, may take safeguard measures with regard to third countries for a period not exceeding six months if such measures are strictly necessary.”
	There are no proposals to introduce such safeguard measures under Article 66, and the Government do not intend to comment on what is a hypothetical situation.

Non-domestic Rates: Valuation

David Mowat: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the Valuation Office Agency's policy of assessing the rateable value of each business operating within a market hall for the purpose of levying national non-domestic rates; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: Valuation Officers of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are required to follow legal precedent in determining whether each market trader has a separate occupation within a market or whether the market operator is in occupation of the whole market and it should therefore have a single assessment. The VOA has been carrying out a review of markets following concern that there was differential treatment between markets.
	The National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) and the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) have been consulted and involved from the outset. Valuation officers have written to traders in affected markets and offered and held meetings to discuss the changes where representations have been made. While there have been concerns from individual stall holders, the VOA have sought to mitigate this by consulting in advance with stallholders on their proposed rateable values and raising awareness of small business rate relief. CLG have also encouraged market owners (mostly local authorities) who will no longer have to pay rates to pass this saving on to the stallholders in reduced rents.
	In addition VOA staff have attended a number of regional NABMA meetings to discuss issues around the review with representatives of traders and market managers.

Northern Rock

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the desired rate of return to the taxpayer from the sale of Northern Rock plc.

Mark Hoban: The development and execution of strategies for disposing of the Government’s shareholding in Northern Rock is part of UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI) remit. UKFI has been looking at the full range of alternatives for divestment, and has been exploring options based its overarching objective to protest and create value for the taxpayer as shareholder with due regard to the maintenance of financial stability and to act in a way that promotes competition.
	UKFI will evaluate any bids in line with these overarching objectives before providing advice to the Chancellor. It is too early to speculate on the rate of return from the sale of Northern Rock plc.

Private Finance Initiative

Andrew Love: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made on his Department's review of savings in private finance initiative contracts in the public sector; when the final report will be published; and if he will make a statement.

Danny Alexander: The pilot savings review at the Queen's hospital in Romford has tested the draft operational savings guidance published in January this year. The pilot project is near conclusion and when completed we will be sharing the lessons learnt across the wider PFI portfolio.

Private Finance Initiative

Andrew Love: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has commissioned on the value for money of the private finance initiative contracts in the public sector; what assessment he has made of the value for money of the private finance initiative compared with other forms of procurement of public assets; and if he will make a statement.

Danny Alexander: Value for money is the primary driver for the choice of procurement route, and private finance is only used where it can be demonstrated to offer better value for money than a publicly financed alternative. HM Treasury's value for money guidance was published in 2006:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/vfm_assessmentguidance 061006opt.pdf
	The guidance sets out the different issues that procuring authorities should consider in establishing what the driving factors for value for money will be in their particular projects.
	As part of the options appraisal, the Public Sector Comparator is used to provide an indication of the value for money of a PFI project compared to the conventionally procured alternative. We have strengthened the project approvals process with the introduction of the new Treasury approval process on the 1 April 2011, and the value for money of a project is assessed at a minimum of three approval stages.
	To ensure we remain at the forefront of international best practise HM Treasury is undertaking a review of the value for money guidance on using private finance with a view to publishing updated guidance in the autumn.

Public Expenditure

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to Table 9.7 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2011, what categories of expenditure are included under non-identifiable public expenditure on public order and safety.

Danny Alexander: Table 9.7 in the PESA 2011 National Statistics release shows that in each of the past five years approximately 7% of expenditure on public order and safety was non-identifiable. Expenditure is non-identifiable when it cannot be classified as benefiting particular regions or countries and is deemed to be incurred on behalf of the United Kingdom as a whole.
	Table 1 following shows the detail on items of non-identifiable public order spending, the majority of which is Home Office spending. The largest areas of spend are “Immigration and Nationality”, “UK Passport Agency”, and “Asylum Support Payments”.
	
		
			 Table 1: Non-identifiable spending on public order and safety 
			 Department name Spending area 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 
			 Home Office Immigration and Nationality 1,146 1,176 1,694 1,671 1,661 
			  UK Passport agency 330 411 366 394 517 
			  Asylum Support Payments 424 410 0 0 0 
			  Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner -2 4 4 4 4 
			  IPS ID Cards 18 0 0 0 0 
			  Work Permits 11 0 0 0 0 
			        
			 Assets Recovery Agency Operation 6 13 0 0 0 
			  Support 4 3 0 0 0 
			        
			 Ministry of Justice Policy, Corporate Services and Associated Offices 0 0 4 0 0 
			        
			 The Supreme Court United Kingdom Supreme Court 0 0 0 0 2 
			        
			 Grand Total  1,938 2,018 2,069 2,070 2,185

Public Finance Initiative

Stella Creasy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the level of tax revenue generated directly by companies undertaking delivery and management of public finance initiative projects in the UK between 2002 and 2012.

Danny Alexander: The Government cannot comment on the tax affairs of individual companies. This information is held by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs on a confidential basis. The entities involved in private finance initiative projects include construction firms, service firms, advisory firms, banks and investors. Many of these are based in the UK and pay UK corporation tax.

Tax Avoidance

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was provided to HM Revenue and Customs to reduce levels of (a) avoidance and (b) evasion of each direct and indirect tax in each of the last four financial years; and how much he plans to so allocate in respect of each tax in each of the next four financial years.

David Gauke: It is not possible to provide an answer to the question in the format requested as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) do not allocate on this basis. Overall funding for HMRC's compliance activity cannot be broken down in this way as its activity—from policy making, through support and education, to audits and investigations—covers all aspects of compliance behaviour from error through to evasion as well as countering criminal attacks and avoidance.

Taxation: Banks

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the level of taxation in the banking sector.

Mark Hoban: HM Revenue and Customs previously estimated that large banking groups would pay around £20 billion in pay-as-you-earn (income tax and national insurance contributions) and corporation tax in 2010-11.

Taxation: Environment Protection

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the potential contribution of fiscal measures to (a) increasing the rate of recycling and (b) reducing the level of excess packaging used by manufacturers and retailers.

Justine Greening: DEFRA's review of waste policy, published on 15 June, announced that there would be a consultation on the case for increased recovery targets for packaging waste in time for a final decision in the 2012 Budget.

Taxation: Overpayments

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason HM Revenue and Customs (a) has changed the rate of interest charged on overdue payments of tax and (b) does not pay interest on tax overpaid and subsequently reclaimed.

David Gauke: The rate of interest charged by HMRC has not changed since September 2009.
	HMRC does pay repayment interest on tax overpaid for all the main taxes. Repayment interest accrues from the later of the due date for payment or the date the tax was paid, to the date that the amount is repaid.
	Both the current and historical rates of interest charged and paid by HMRC are available on the HMRC website.

Taxation: Rescue Services

Andrew Bingham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend the excise duty relief for mineral hydrocarbon oil awarded to rescue boats to include diesel used exclusively for mountain rescue.

Justine Greening: Marine voyages relief is available to all commercial vessels including those used in a safety or rescue function. This relief reflects the international market for marine fuelling where a co-ordinated international approach to taxation is necessary given the mobility of this sector.
	Registered charities mountain rescue teams are eligible for broad relief on income. The Government recognise the valuable work of mountain rescue teams and tax policy maintains a neutral approach toward charitable causes.

Welfare Tax Credits

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much funding he has allocated to expenditure to be incurred in transferring from child care support and tax credits to any replacement system;
	(2)  what proposals he has for a system to replace child care support and tax credits; and when he plans to publish details of any such system.

David Gauke: The Government are working with key stakeholders, drawing on their expertise, to establish which options will best support parents to meet the costs of child care in the future within or alongside universal credit. Details of the new proposal will be set out shortly. Government policy design and development is using the working assumption that current levels of spend on demand-side support for child care will be maintained.
	Over the spending review period £2 billion has been set aside as part of the Department for Work and Pensions settlement to fund the implementation of the universal credit.

Welfare Tax Credits

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the average time taken to (a) process an application for and (b) make an award of tax credits.

David Gauke: Information is not available in the format requested. HM Revenue and Customs aims to pay 60% of tax credits new claims in 15 days. The outturn at the end of April 2011 was 60.2%.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Biofuels: Timber

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate the requirement for planting of new trees to meet demand for biomass electricity generation in the next four financial years.

Charles Hendry: A wide range of biomass feedstocks can be used for electricity generation. Dry agricultural residues such as straw can be combusted to generate electricity. Wet biomass residues such as food waste, sewage and manure can be processed in an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant to produce biogas. Woodfuel can be sourced from timber processing residues, such as off-cuts and sawdust, and by diverting waste wood from landfill, as well as from small round-wood and thinnings from sustainably managed forests. Perennial energy crops, such as miscanthus grass and short rotation coppice (SRC) willow which can be cultivated on farmland unsuitable for food crops, can provide a fast-growing source of biomass fuel.
	We expect large-scale biomass electricity to be primarily fuelled by imports, and that the global supply market will respond to the growth of renewable energy in this country and worldwide.
	Whether biomass feedstocks for energy are sourced from a forest, farm or elsewhere and whether it is homegrown or imported, it is essential that they are sustainably sourced. Therefore in April, we introduced a requirement to report on sustainability criteria under the Renewables Obligation (RO). These criteria include a minimum greenhouse gas lifecycle saving of 60% compared to fossil fuel, which considers the cultivation, processing and transport of the feedstock, and general restrictions on using biomass sourced from areas important on carbon or biodiversity grounds such as primary forests.
	We intend, from April 2013, that biomass electricity plants of 1 MWe or above will be required to meet the sustainability criteria to receive financial support under the RO.
	In addition, the Government recognises that with one of the lowest levels of woodland cover in Europe, England's natural environment needs more trees and woodlands. The Forestry Commission is working with other Government Departments and many stakeholder groups through the Woodland Carbon Task Force to provide frameworks to enable the use of private finance and public engagement to expand woodland cover and to increase the benefits that can be derived from them.
	During 2011-12 the Forestry Commission intends to distribute a further £30.6 million as part of the woodland related components of the Rural Development Programme for England of which £14.9 million will support woodland expansion.
	Forestry Commission Scotland recognises that forestry can make a significant contribution to mitigating the effects of climate change and meeting the Scottish Government's targets for renewable energy. To support this, during 2011-12 Forestry Commission Scotland intends to distribute a further £36 million as part of the woodland related components in the Rural Priorities schemes of the Scottish Rural Development Programme, of which £30 million has been allocated to support approved proposals for woodland creation and sustainable forest management.

Biofuels: Timber

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effect of demand for material for biomass electricity generation on the (a) supply and (b) price of timber;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effects of subsidies on the generation of electricity from biomass on the competitiveness of the wood panel industry;
	(3)  if he will assess the potential effect of subsidies for electricity generated from biomass on (a) the price of wood charged to small and medium-sized companies and (b) the (i) availability and (ii) cost of timber to all manufacturers.

Charles Hendry: The Department takes account of demand from non-energy sectors in assessing the supply of sustainable biomass available for the generation of electricity and heat, and the subsidies that should apply to bringing forward that generation. We believe this is the best way to avoid supply pressures on other users of biomass feedstocks. Assumptions and analysis of biomass availability and prices will be published alongside the RO banding review consultation due this summer. This analysis also underpins a UK bioenergy strategy which the Government will publish later this year.
	We expect large-scale biomass electricity plants to be fuelled by imported feedstocks. Isolating the potential impact of UK energy subsidies on global biomass prices is inevitably difficult. Many other factors condition supply, prices and the competitiveness of user industries.

Biofuels: Timber

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the policy of his Department is on increasing the supply of wood residue, and wood and food waste for use in biomass electricity generation.

Charles Hendry: Our policy is to increase the supply of sustainable biomass, including wood residues, wood and food waste, available to the UK market. This will enable the growth of all UK biomass-using industries.
	We expect that large-scale biomass electricity will be primarily fuelled by imports. In terms of domestic supply, around 40% of the UK's forests and woodlands, as measured by land area, are not currently under an active management plan. This is a major missed opportunity for the UK in terms of biodiversity as well as the potential wood supplies. The Forestry Commission is developing a new Woodfuel Woodland Improvement Grant (WIG) which will offer a 60% contribution to costs of forest roads, access tracks and other related harvesting infrastructure.
	We are also encouraging our electricity generators to look beyond forests and woodlands when sourcing biomass feedstocks. Biomass suitable for energy generation can come from a very wide range of plant and animal based materials, many of which are unsuitable as raw materials for our wood processing industries. These include perennial energy crops such as miscanthus grass and short rotation coppice (SRC) willow, which can be grown on lower grade land unsuitable for food crops. Similarly, dry farming residues such as straw can be combusted for energy.
	The Renewables Obligation (RO) currently provides additional support for energy crops over other biomass feedstocks. This ‘uplift’ of 0.5 ROC aims to stimulate interest in energy crops by the power generation sector and to help develop the fuel supply chain. Support is also provided directly to farmers through the Energy Crops Scheme (ECS) which is part of DEFRA's Rural Development Programme for England. The ECS provides grants that reimburse 50% of planting costs.
	The support available for electricity produced using anaerobic digestion under the Renewables Obligation or Feed-in Tariffs is encouraging the collection and use of suitable wet biomass feedstocks including food waste and manure. The joint DECC and DEFRA Anaerobic Digestion strategy and action plan, published on 14 June, sets out how we will enable a thriving industry to grow in England over the next few years, delivering new green jobs as well as new green energy.
	In addition, DEFRA recently announced that it will consult next year on introducing a landfill restriction on wood waste, and review the case for introducing landfill bans on other materials, such as metals, textiles and all biodegradable waste.

Biofuels: Timber

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department's policy is on the planting of coppiced wood for use in the biomass industry on unoccupied agricultural land.

Gregory Barker: DECC supports the use of short rotation coppice (SRC) for energy generation. The renewables obligation provides specific support for electricity from purpose grown energy crops such as SRC through an uplift of 0.5 ROC over other forms of biomass. This support is designed to help develop the supply chain by stimulating interest in energy crops by the power generation sector.

Climate Change: Seas and Oceans

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of global warming on levels of sea and ocean acidification;
	(2)  what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of global warming on sea levels.

Gregory Barker: Measurements have shown that acidification of the world's oceans is occurring as a direct result of increased uptake of higher levels of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and scientists estimate that a 30% increase in ocean acidity has occurred since pre-industrial times. Ocean acidification is thus not a direct result of global warming. However, additionally as ocean temperature increases in response to climate change, its capacity to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere will be reduced slightly.
	DEFRA, DECC and the Natural Environment Research Council are jointly funding the five-year UK Ocean Acidification Research Programme to improve predictions of future changes in ocean chemistry and understand the impacts of ocean acidification on the marine environment and the consequences for society.
	The IPCC s Fourth Assessment Report (2007) and scientific research published since 2007 have concluded that global sea levels will likely rise by between 0.18 and 0.59 metres (relative to 1980-1999) by the end of this century as a result of global warming, but this estimate did not take account of the effect of ice melt in Greenland and Antarctica which were too uncertain.

Combined Heat and Power

Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution to reduction of carbon emissions of deployment of community-scale gas-fuelled combined heat and power systems.

Gregory Barker: DECC commissioned a report from Poyry Consulting in 2009 to establish the potential for district heating as a commercially viable replacement to conventional gas and electric heating in the existing domestic housing stock. Drawing on previous studies, the report stated that district heating from all heat generation sources, including CHP, may be a cost-effective solution for between four million and six million households, , but this figure was highly dependent on the rate of return expected on the investment.
	Recognising the importance of heat in terms of emissions and energy use, DECC is currently undertaking an internal strategic analysis on the future supply of heat in the UK. This work will investigate the potential of all heat supply technologies at all scales, including CHP.

Combined Heat and Power

Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the mini-combined heat and power sector on proposals to extend support for combined heat and power following the comprehensive review of feed-in tariffs.

Gregory Barker: My officials have had discussions with representatives of the Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA) and companies in the micro-CHP industry on the impact of the feed-in tariffs (FITs) on incentivising development within the industry. We are also considering the responses received in the call for evidence on the scope for the comprehensive review from CHPA and other companies in the micro-CHP industry.

Departmental Procurement

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what provisions in respect of behavioural standards have been included in procurement contracts issued by his Department since May 2010.

Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change sets behavioural standards in the pre-contractual invitation to tender and in the terms and conditions of contracts.
	Invitations to tender issued by the Department request contractors to: submit a statement of non-collusion; submit referees from customers; comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 as amended by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005; and comply with the Race Relations Act 1976 as amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. In addition, where appropriate, the Department also requests bidders to provide their health and safety policy, a summary of their environmental procedures and details of quality assurance procedures.
	Contracts can be terminated for breach of the Department’s terms and conditions covering the following behavioural standards: confidentiality; services must be provided in accordance with good industry practice and legal requirements; services must be provided in compliance with the Department’s security vetting procedure and the Official Secrets Act; the contractor shall not offer corrupt gifts or payment of commission; the contractor shall ensure there is no conflict of interest with the Department; the contractor must ensure Government property including data is kept securely; the contractor must comply with non-discrimination, the Disability Equality Scheme, the Race Equality Scheme, the principals of the Authorities Welsh Language Scheme, all applicable environmental laws and all other applicable law.

Energy: Housing

Aidan Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2011, Official Report, columns 998-99W, on insulation: housing, what measures his Department is putting in place to assist home owners in properties without cavity wall insulation to make their homes more energy efficient.

Gregory Barker: Last summer we extended the carbon emissions reduction target to the end of 2012 refocusing it on delivering insulation. We estimate that some 3.5 million households will benefit from different forms of wall and roof insulation as a result.
	Following this, the Green Deal will transform the landscape for energy efficiency, offering households the opportunity to improve their energy performance at no up-front cost. Green Deal will be supported by an energy company obligation focused on delivering assistance to low income and hard to treat properties, particularly those needing solid wall insulation. We will consult on the details of the obligation this autumn.

Fuel Poverty

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what planning his Department is undertaking to (a) prevent fuel poverty and (b) mitigate the impact of energy price rises among elderly and vulnerable people in the winter of 2011-12.

Gregory Barker: The new Warm Home Discount scheme will require energy companies by law to give a discount on energy bills to more of their most low income and vulnerable customers. Government are working to get regulations approved by Parliament to ensure the poorest pensioners receive a £120 discount on their electricity bill this year. Other groups such as low income families and those with long term illnesses and disabilities may also receive this discount.
	For the next two years, Government are continuing to fund a better targeted Warm Front scheme to provide help with heating measures to vulnerable consumers. From 2013 a new energy company obligation will provide support for energy efficiency measures. This will include a target to provide low income vulnerable households, including the elderly, with measures to improve their ability to heat their homes affordably—such as insulation and central heating.
	In addition there are existing initiatives like winter fuel payments for pensioners, and the cold weather payments which support low income and vulnerable households in particular geographic areas during extended periods of cold weather.

Fuel Poverty: Older People

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to alleviate fuel poverty among the elderly.

Gregory Barker: The Warm Home Discount scheme introduced in April this year will require energy companies by law to give a discount on energy bills to more of their most low income and vulnerable customers. Government are working to get regulations approved by Parliament to ensure the poorest pensioners receive a £120 discount on their electricity bill this year. Over the four years to 2015, the Warm Home Discount scheme will be worth up to £1.1 billion and will help around 2 million households per year.
	A new energy company obligation will provide support for energy efficiency measures. This will include a target to provide low income vulnerable households, including the elderly, with measures to improve their ability to heat their homes affordably—such as insulation and central heating.
	In addition there are a package of measures we have in place to combat fuel poverty, including existing initiatives like winter fuel payments for pensioners and the cold weather payments which support low income and vulnerable households, including the elderly, in particular geographic areas during extended periods of cold weather.

Green Deal Scheme

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he has taken to support innovation in the Green Deal.

Gregory Barker: Green Deal will allow for the cost of energy efficiency measures to be repaid through the savings they create. This will encourage innovation by incentivising improved performance across existing technologies and entirely new technologies coming to market.

Renewable Energy: EU Action

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the establishment of EU-wide targets for the use of renewable energy by 2030.

Gregory Barker: While it is important for all EU member states to develop trajectories for moving to a low carbon economy to meet the European Council's target of an 80-95% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, it is too early to consider the need for a specific renewables target for 2030.

Wind Power

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the (a) efficiency and (b) use of land-based wind-powered electricity generators.

Charles Hendry: The proportion of maximum output that UK wind farms have generated on average is known as the load factor. In 2009 the load factor for onshore wind was 26.9%. Provisional figures indicate that for 2010 the load factor for onshore wind was just over 20% due to lower wind speeds.
	In 2010 onshore wind power produced approximately 7 TWh, which is equivalent to the annual consumption of around 1.5 million homes.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Affordable Housing

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what incentives are available to registered providers to ensure that more (a) new and (b) existing housing stock is provided for low-paid working people under the Affordable Homes programme for 2011-14; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: In February, my Department and the Homes and Communities Agency published the Affordable Homes programme framework, setting out the criteria and guidance for providers to put forward offers to deliver affordable housing between 2011-12 and 2014-15.
	Nearly £4.5 billion of investment is available for new affordable housing to help deliver up to 150,000 affordable homes in England over the spending review period.

Affordable Housing: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much is to be paid to (a) Cross Keys Homes, (b) Axiom Housing Association, (c) Accent Nene Housing, (d) Minster Housing Association and (e) other registered providers in the Peterborough city council area in respect of the Affordable Homes programme for 2011-14; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: The Homes and Communities Agency is currently considering the offers made by providers for funding through the Affordable Homes programme 2011-15. We expect initial contracts with providers who are successful in receiving allocations for the new programme to be signed in September.

Localism Bill

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has any plans to bring forward further amendments to the Localism Bill in the light of representations from hon. Members and others; and if he will make a statement.

Greg Clark: Throughout the progress of the Localism Bill through Parliament our approach has consistently been to seek common ground and consensus.
	We have already made amendments at Commons Report in light of representations from hon. Members and others. Furthermore, on 18 June, following on from debate in the Commons, we laid further amendments in relation to local authority pay accountability.
	I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government will continue to listen and reflect as necessary as the Bill proceeds through the other place.

Regional Planning and Development

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 16 July 2008, Official Report, column 491W, on regional planning and development: eco-towns, how many partial reviews of regional spatial strategies were initiated between July 2008 and April 2010.

Greg Clark: The following partial reviews of regional spatial strategies were initiated between July 2008 and April 2010:
	South East, partial review Minerals apportionment (02 March 2009);
	East of England, partial review Lakeside Thurrock (6 April 2009);
	South East, partial review Gypsy and Travellers alterations (8 June 2009);
	North West, partial review Parking standards, Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Show people (27 July 2009).
	None of these four partial reviews covered the topic of eco-towns.

Regional Planning and Development: Worcestershire

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance he has given local authorities in South Worcestershire on the abolition of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy.

Greg Clark: The Chief Planner wrote to all local planning authorities on 11 November 2010 on the Government's intention to abolish regional strategies through the Localism Bill; a copy of the letter is available in the Library of the House. The Government have not published further guidance.
	More broadly, local planning authorities should continue to develop local plans that reflect local people's aspirations and decisions on important issues such as climate change, housing and economic development, having regard to national policy.
	Upon commencement, the Localism Bill will remove any requirement for local plans to be in conformity with regional strategies. Local planning authorities should be collecting and analysing evidence if they wish to revise their local plans; to pass a test of soundness local plans will have to be able to demonstrate they are:
	Justified—contain planning policies based on evidence;
	Effective—cover cross boundary strategic planning issues; and
	Consistent—in conformity with national planning guidance.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Bahrain: Politics and Government

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has met representatives of Shia opposition groups in Bahrain.

Alistair Burt: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials regularly meet representatives from Shia political groups and our ambassador continues to meet with representatives from both Shia and Sunni communities in Bahrain.

British Council: Internet

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 202W, on the British Council: internet, what the nationalities are of the 46.1 million people reached by the British Council's online work.

William Hague: The British Council does not capture the nationality of users visiting its website. The 46.1 million figure is based on individual internet protocol (IP) addresses of those computers used to visit British Council websites. While the Council are unable to capture the nationality of those using these IP addresses, they are able to record the country or territory of origin of each IP address using Webtrends, and this information for 40.29 million users is in the following table:
	
		
			 British Council: Break down of audience figures for 2010-11, by countries or territories of origin 
			 Country/territory Yearly visitors (Number) 
			 China 10,296,101 
			 United Kingdom 4,231,452 
			 United States 2,316,941 
			 India 1,765,498 
			 Spain 1,634,379 
			 France 941,254 
			 Turkey 810,572 
			 Italy 783,589 
			 South Korea 752,700 
			 Australia 719,052 
			 Pakistan 680,749 
			 Poland 579,450 
			 Germany 576,602 
		
	
	
		
			 Taiwan 564,001 
			 Vietnam 535,452 
			 Canada 506,526 
			 Brazil 498,927 
			 Egypt 490,135 
			 Russian Federation 481,857 
			 Thailand 460,337 
			 Romania 455,202 
			 Saudi Arabia 426,657 
			 Mexico 419,377 
			 Malaysia 413,568 
			 Colombia 399,554 
			 Japan 365,684 
			 Singapore 361,364 
			 Indonesia 361,025 
			 Greece 359,844 
			 Netherlands 358,680 
			 Philippines 347,463 
			 United Arab Emirates 310,253 
			 Ukraine 261,854 
			 Czech Republic 258,879 
			 Portugal 229,347 
			 Argentina 219,640 
			 Sri Lanka 170,852 
			 Bangladesh 168,249 
			 Bulgaria 164,697 
			 Chile 163,380 
			 Hungary 158,036 
			 Morocco 157,714 
			 Ireland 151,783 
			 Nigeria 146,559 
			 Algeria 133,794 
			 Belgium 123,530 
			 Denmark 118,968 
			 Sweden 115,321 
			 Switzerland 114,425 
			 Austria 111,707 
			 Norway 110,344 
			 Israel 107,525 
			 Slovakia 104,797 
			 New Zealand 102,091 
			 Jordan 101,378 
			 Tunisia 99,630 
			 Qatar 99,589 
			 Peru 95,241 
			 Venezuela 93,601 
			 Kuwait 89,707 
			 South Africa 88,525 
			 Lithuania 69,116 
			 Georgia 64,425 
			 Burma 64,134 
			 Croatia 63,998 
			 Latvia 63,934 
			 Finland 61,296 
			 Kazakhstan 60,152 
			 Cyprus 58,941 
			 Iran 57,822 
			 Slovenia 56,005 
			 Oman 53,351 
			 Nepal 51,944 
			 Azerbaijan 49,965 
			 Bahrain 48,637 
			 Serbia 47,590 
		
	
	
		
			 Occupied Palestinian Territories 46,684 
			 Syria 45,632 
			 Macedonia 45,388 
			 Uruguay 44,370 
			 Kenya 42,304 
			 Libya 41,152 
			 Lebanon 38,978 
			 Mauritius 37,816 
			 Sudan 33,476 
			 Ghana 33,443 
			 Ecuador 32,592 
			 Albania 30,330 
			 Bosnia and Herzegovina 29,379 
			 Estonia 27,833 
			 Yemen 25,764 
			 Uganda 25,142 
			 Jamaica 23,996 
			 Armenia 23,633 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 22,177 
			 Costa Rica 21,739 
			 Malta 21,537 
			 Iraq 20,903 
			 Belarus 20,491 
			 Senegal 19,121 
			 Iceland 18,814 
			 Uzbekistan 18,479 
			 Ethiopia 18,441 
			 Tanzania 18,235 
			 Moldova 17,401 
			 Cameroon 16,280 
			 Cambodia 15,392 
			 El Salvador 15,218 
			 Luxembourg 13,579 
			 Guatemala 13,522 
			 Maldives 13,484 
			 Panama 12,994 
			 Brunei Darussalam 11,914 
			 Dominican Republic 10,332 
			 Puerto Rico 10,025 
			 Mongolia 9,961 
			 Montenegro 9,202 
			 Botswana 9,028 
			 Zimbabwe 8,931 
			 Cote D'Ivoire 8,479 
			 Bolivia 8,286 
			 Afghanistan 7,799 
			 Malawi 6,841 
			 Mozambique 5,381 
			 Zambia 5,193 
			 Kyrgyzstan 4,635 
			 Honduras 4,615 
			 Paraguay 4,611 
			 Rwanda 4,500 
			 Nicaragua 4,480 
			 Namibia 4,452 
			 Bhutan 4,131 
			 Barbados 3,670 
			 Guyana 3,451 
			 Bahamas 3,201 
			 Laos 3,130 
			 Fiji 2,956 
			 Madagascar 2,916 
			 Angola 2,874 
		
	
	
		
			 Djibouti 2,508 
			 Belize 2,216 
			 Burkina Faso 2,158 
			 Eritrea 2,110 
			 St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2,088 
			 Cuba 1,902 
			 Benin 1,827 
			 Mali 1,758 
			 St Lucia 1,539 
			 Gambia 1,532 
			 Congo (Democratic Republic) 1,493 
			 Mauritania 1,436 
			 Seychelles 1,429 
			 Tajikistan 1,414 
			 Grenada 1,412 
			 Andorra 1,366 
			 Haiti 1,357 
			 Antigua and Barbuda 1,273 
			 Monaco 1,227 
			 Netherlands Antilles 1,178 
			 Togo 1,145 
			 Swaziland 1,014 
			 Papua New Guinea 884 
			 Cape Verde 846 
			 Gabon 783 
			 Liberia 752 
			 Dominica 717 
			 Turkmenistan 708 
			 Congo 702 
			 Suriname 671 
			 St Kitts and Nevis 570 
			 Sierra Leone 552 
			 Liechtenstein 521 
			 Niger 479 
			 Aruba 470 
		
	
	A further 2.2 million users reflects those where Webtrends, our corporate tracking system, does not determine a visitor’s location.
	The remaining 3.6 million users reflect website(s) where Webtrends tracking code has not yet been applied.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of employees of his Department's agencies, categorised by (a) seniority, (b) voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Henry Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no current plans to publish this information, but is committed to transparency and the availability of data and will keep this under review.

Embassies: Flags

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the decision to fly the EU flag alongside the Union flag at British embassies and missions was made; who made the decision; and whether the decision was requested by any EU institution.

David Lidington: The flying of the EU flag alongside the Union flag at British embassies and missions is a matter for individual ambassadors and heads of mission to decide, drawing on local practice or precedent as they see fit. For example the UK's representation to the EU in Brussels displays the European flag at all times, as do all our EU partners on their buildings. On Europe day (9 May), posts in EU and EU-applicant countries display the European flag.
	The British flag has precedence. In all cases where it is deployed, the European flag is displayed alongside, not instead of, the British Diplomatic, Consular or (in Commonwealth countries) Union flag.

EU Law

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what European directives in force on 1 April 2010 his Department is responsible; and what European directives for which his Department is responsible have come into force since 1 April 2010.

David Lidington: There are no directives which were in force at 1 April 2010, or have come into force since 1 April 2010, for which the FCO has responsibility.

Gilad Shalit

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken to bring about the release of Gilad Shalit; what discussions he has had at UN level on Gilad Shalit; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Browne: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), on 22 June 2011, Official Report, column 332W.
	We regularly hold discussions through London and our embassy in Tel Aviv about the release of Gilad Shalit with other EU and UN partners. Most recently, HMA Tel Aviv met with Gilad Shalit's family on 20 June.

Iran: Sanctions

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the enforcement of sanctions against Iran.

William Hague: On 23 May, the EU strengthened its sanctions against Iran by adding over one hundred more entities to its regulation. Until Iran recognises the need to engage meaningfully about the nature of its nuclear programme, we will continue to add further measures to increase pressure on Iran, including in partnership with the EU and others. We continue to work with all EU partners to ensure these measures are enforced.

Iran: Satellites

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the launch by Iran of a Rassad-1 satellite; what recent discussions he has had at the UN on this issue; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Rassad-1 satellite was launched on 15 June. We are concerned that Iran's space launch programme utilises technologies which are highly relevant to the development of long range ballistic missiles and that Iran is continuing to enhance its ballistic missile capabilities. The UK Permanent Representative at the UN made a statement to the UN Security Council on 23 June condemning the Iranian launch, which was in clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929.

Israel: Non-governmental Organisations

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Israeli Government on legislative proposals under consideration in the Knesset on the funding of European non-governmental organisations in the region.

Alistair Burt: On 21 February the Knesset passed a Transparency law requiring greater disclosure by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) funded by foreign governments. The law requires that such NGOs (must) submit and publish quarterly returns of such funding.
	Our embassy in Tel Aviv and our consulate general in Jerusalem have had contacts with a number of non-governmental organisations on these issues. We understand that the new law is likely to have limited impact upon their organisations.
	NGOs play a crucial role in Israel's democracy, as elsewhere, and the Government are committed to continuing to support such work.

Libya: Armed Conflict

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Libya; and what his policy is on the continuation of military operations until the departure from Libya of Colonel Gaddafi.

Jeremy Browne: It is clear that Gaddafi no longer has legitimacy and so he should heed the calls of the Libyan people and the international community to leave immediately. We recognise the National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people and welcome their efforts to include all Libyans and to prepare for a political transition in which Libyans can decide on their own future.
	NATO's mandate is to protect civilians as outlined in UNSCR 1973. As the Prime Minister has made clear, action will continue under the United Nations Resolutions for as long as is necessary to protect the Libyan people from danger. We are steadily and deliberately reducing Gaddafi’s ability to launch and sustain attacks on his own people. But his regime is still inflicting considerable harm on the civilian population.

Libya: Mercenaries

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of UK nationals working as mercenaries in Libya.

William Hague: I have not seen any credible reports of British nationals working as mercenaries in Libya. Our position is clear: the UK deplores Gaddafi’s use of mercenaries to harm civilians and, on 17 March, the UK voted in support of United National Security Council resolution 1973 which “deplores the continuing flow of mercenaries into the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and calls on all Member States to comply strictly with their obligations”.

Office of UK Permanent Representative to EU

Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the capabilities required of the next UK Permanent Representative to the EU.

David Lidington: The next Permanent Representative to the EU will need to be strategic, advising how best to promote and protect the UK's interests across a broad and complex set of issues; and influential, with the EU institutions and in negotiating creatively and effectively with EU member states. He or she will need a good understanding of the dynamics of the EU, and to understand French. He or she will need to be able to lead effectively a large team promoting and protecting UK interests at all stages of negotiations.

Office of UK Permanent Representative to EU

Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to recommend the appointment of the next UK Permanent Representative to the EU.

David Lidington: The appointment of the next UK Permanent Representative to the EU is being handled as part of a continuing process to fill a number of senior diplomatic posts from within the civil service. An announcement will be made shortly.

Pakistan: British Nationals Abroad

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of UK nationals who travelled to Pakistan in each of the last three years.

William Hague: The FCO does not hold information on the number or destination of British nationals travelling overseas.

Palestinians: Politics and Government

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will make it his policy to vote against any resolution at the UN General Assembly calling for a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with (a) the UN Secretary General, (b) the Government of Israel, (c) the Palestinian Authority, (d) the Arab League and (e) the US Administration on a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  if he will make it his policy to oppose the creation of a Palestinian state at the UN; if he will support the resumption of direct negotiations between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: We believe the priority is a return to negotiations. We are pressing both the Israelis and the Palestinians to return to the table further to President Obama's speech of 19 May 2011, making clear that negotiations should be on the basis of 1967 borders with mutually agreed land swaps and security arrangements to secure Israel and respect Palestinian sovereignty.
	September sees the completion of the Palestinian Authority's two-year programme to build the institutions of a future Palestinian state. We need to see progress on the negotiation track to match this progress on the ground. We are making this absolutely clear in our contacts with both parties.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the situation of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani in Iran.

Jeremy Browne: One year after Ms Ashtiani's case came to global attention, her situation remains unclear and we are concerned for her well-being and that of her family and her lawyer, Javad Houtan Kian. We have raised this case frequently with the Iranian authorities and will continue to do so.

Serbia: EU Enlargement

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on the accession of Serbia to the EU.

David Lidington: The Government strongly support the EU perspective of Serbia along with that of the whole Western Balkans region. Progress along the EU track is of course subject to the relevant conditions being met. I look forward to reviewing the Commission's Avis this autumn, which will look at Serbia's progress on the full range of conditions set by the EU. The UK, together with the rest of the Council, will then decide whether sufficient progress has been made for Serbia to progress to the next stage.

Serbia: Travellers

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his Serbian counterpart the recent forced evictions of Roma families from Belgrade; and if he will request the European Commission to raise this issue with representatives of the Serbian Government in discussions over that country's application for accession to the EU.

David Lidington: The UK Government work directly with the Serbian authorities in improving the lives of the Roma. For example, the British embassy in Belgrade is funding a project, in co-operation with the Serbian Ombudsman's office, which will produce concrete statistics about the Serbian Roma population to inform a series of clear recommendations to each Serbian Ministry on what needs to done to help improve their lives.
	Equally, the EU raise the issue regularly with the Serbian authorities. Respect for minority rights is an essential element of the criteria for progress towards EU accession. The Commission 2010 Progress Report on Serbia highlighted the importance of respect for minority rights, including those of the Roma. The Commission, in preparing its Opinion, due in the autumn, on Serbia's application for EU membership, will be assessing progress in addressing all the reform areas highlighted in last year's progress report, including respect for minority rights.
	I am planning to visit Belgrade in September and intend to talk to the Serbian authorities about requirements for EU progression, including minority and Roma rights.

Syrian Arab Republic: Politics and Government

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of personnel sent by Iran to Syria for the purpose of countering anti-Government demonstrations; whether he plans to raise this issue at the United Nations; and if he will make a
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Alistair Burt: We are deeply concerned by credible information that Iran is providing equipment and technical advice to the Syrian Government to help them counter protests in Syria.
	This is unacceptable. As elsewhere in the region, protestors in Syria must be allowed the right to protest peacefully without fear of brutal repression. It is a further example of Iran's blatant hypocrisy in claiming to support freedom in the Arab world, while violently suppressing demonstrations at home and helping to quell protests in Syria.
	The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is the main body providing support to the Syrian regime. My officials have expressed our serious concern to the Iranian authorities and have discussed this issue with our international partners. We and EU partners have already placed travel bans and asset freezes on leading members of the IRGC and IRGC entities. We are in negotiations at the UNSC on the text of a UNSCR condemning the violence and use of force in Syria.

UK Membership of EU

William Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the contribution of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury of 20 June 2011, Official Report, column 26, on the Eurozone (contingency plans), what constitutional criteria he uses to determine whether a referendum should be held; and what his policy is on the requirement for a referendum in relation to any change in the constitutional relationship between the UK and that part of the EU which constitutes the Eurozone.

David Lidington: There is a policy reflected in the EU Bill that is currently being debated before Parliament that, once the Bill is in force, all future treaty changes and Article 48(6) decisions will be treated in accordance with the Bill's provisions, namely a statement is to be made as to whether the treaty or Article 48(6) decision falls within section 4(1) of the Bill (transfers of competence or power from the UK to the EU requiring a referendum), as well as an act of parliament. In addition, clause 6 of the EU Bill also requires that certain decisions automatically require approval by Act and by referendum, and this includes a decision to make the euro the currency of the UK.

Yemen: Politics and Government

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Yemen; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The UK Government remain extremely concerned about the situation in Yemen. President Saleh has refused to sign the agreement brokered by the Secretary General of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), despite previously having agreed to do so.
	We continue to work with Vice President Hadi and other key players in the Government and opposition to help secure the political change that Yemen so badly needs. We continue to urge the Vice President to engage with all sides to implement the Gulf Co-operation Council agreement and begin political transition. We encourage all sides to respect the current ceasefire, participate in dialogue as a way forward and to restrain from further violent clashes.

EDUCATION

Children: Sexual Exploitation

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the outcomes were of the Minister for Children's March 2011 roundtable meeting with ministerial colleagues on child sexual exploitation.

Tim Loughton: The roundtable meeting which I chaired in March involved senior representatives from a range of organisations and was an extremely interesting and useful step in the Government's drive to do everything possible to stamp out child sexual exploitation. We identified a number of issues which need to be addressed, including awareness raising, effective prevention and detection, securing more prosecutions and the need to support victims. Officials in the Department are now working across Government Departments and with a wide range of partners to produce an action plan, building on existing guidance. I aim to publish the action plan for tackling this appalling form of child abuse in the autumn.

Departmental Data Protection

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to promote visual data security in his Department; and what training his Department provides to its officials in respect of the management of visual data security.

Tim Loughton: The term ‘visual data security' is an ambiguous one. For the purposes of this response the Department assumes that it is intended to relate to visual threats to the security of data.
	The Department requires all its staff to complete a mandatory, annual refresher training module in Protecting Information. This training covers all aspects of information protection and includes specific guidance on managing visual threats (eg on-screen e-mail, documents or papers being overlooked) within the office, while travelling and when working in public spaces. On completion of this annual training module all staff are required to complete and pass an assessment test to ensure that they have absorbed and understood the material. In addition to this 'Level 1' Protecting Information training module that is completed annually by all staff there are also a further three levels of Protecting Information training which DFE staff with particular Information Assurance responsibilities complete each year. These further training modules are made available to all DFE staff but apply in particular to the Department's project/line managers, information asset owners and the senior information risk owner.
	Further guidance for all staff on the protection of information on PC, laptop, and BlackBerry screens, especially when outside departmental premises, is maintained on the information security pages on the departmental intranet.
	The mandatory annual training for all staff is supplemented by a range of further targeted (by group and/or topic) activity to promote best practice across the Department in the management of data security threats. Recent examples of activities that the Department has carried out which have included specific guidance on managing visual threats to the security of data include:
	Production of a tailored briefing pack on security requirements and best practice for DFE Ministers;
	A series of briefing sessions on security requirements and best practice given by specialist security practitioners to staff working in the private offices of DFE Ministers and the permanent secretary;
	A note issued to all DFE staff making clear the Department's expectations of them in regard to avoiding the leaking of sensitive material.
	The Department also employs a number of specialist security practitioners to provide expert advice, direction, challenge and assurance in all aspects of the Department's management of security risk, including visual threats to the security of data. These specialists undergo ongoing professional training and development to ensure that they remain up-to-date with the latest HMG standards, good practice guidance and emerging threats.

Dr Thomas Spielhofer

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with Dr Thomas Spielhofer.

Nick Gibb: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), and Ministers in the Department have not had discussions with Thomas Spielhofer.
	Thomas Spielhofer currently works for the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations. In the past, while working for the National Foundation for Educational Research, he conducted research on various topics on behalf of the Department. These topics included barriers to participation in education and training, and raising the participation age in education to age 18.

Free School Meals

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether (a) free schools and (b) academies will be required to provide free meals to eligible post-16 students.

Nick Gibb: Free schools and academies are governed by a funding agreement with the Secretary of State. The funding agreement provides the framework within which these schools operate and requires free schools and academies to provide free school meals to eligible pupils aged up to 18 years. This requirement also applies to pupils in these institutions who are aged 19 or over, if their course of study began before they attained the age of 18.

Marriage Guidance: Grants

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2011, Official Report, columns 497-8W, on marriage guidance: grants, if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) the bid document for each organisation listed and (b) each item of correspondence relating to the bids;
	(2)  pursuant to the answers of 27 April 2011, Official Report, column 497W, on marriage guidance: grants and column 500W, on voluntary organisations: grants, when he expects the remainder of the funding to be allocated;
	(3)  pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2011, Official Report, column 497W, on marriage guidance: grants, what the key performance indicators are for each organisation.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 20 June 2011
	In most cases, the negotiations to finalise grants for relationship support have resulted in amendments to the proposals first submitted in the bid document. The Department will therefore supply the hon. Member with copies of the grant funding agreements with these organisations as these give a clearer picture of the services to be provided. I will write to the hon. Member with those details shortly and place copies in the House Libraries.
	Grant funding has been allocated for 2011-13. Individual organisation's funding for 2012-13 will, of course, depend on delivery in the current year, as set out the grant funding agreements between the organisations and the Department. I anticipate that the Department will allocate funding for relationship support for the period 2013-15 during autumn/winter 2012. The shape of this funding will depend in part on early findings from evaluation.
	Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have not yet been agreed between the Department and each of the funded organisations. KPIs will be tailored to each organisation to reflect the nature of the grant funded activities so will vary between organisations. I will write to the hon. Member once they are agreed.

Oil

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans his Department has to address the challenges posed by peak oil.

Tim Loughton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry), on 16 June 2011, Official Report, column 895W.

Schools: Capital Investment

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when the Government's response to the Education Capital Review by Sebastian James will be issued; when he expects schools and local authorities to be able to apply for funding under the scheme; and within what period decisions on such applications are to be made.

Nick Gibb: The Government took receipt of the independent capital review in April this year and will respond soon.
	However, we are already implementing changes that are very much in the spirit of the capital review recommendations, and which will help deliver the buildings and facilities that children need. These include focusing the available funding on providing new school places where they are needed, and on the buildings in the worst condition; getting the best value for money from our existing Building Schools for the Future commitments and other projects; and considering how the school premises regulations can be simplified so as to remove unnecessary burdens and blockages.

Serco

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many contracts his Department holds with Serco; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value of each such contract is.

Tim Loughton: The Department currently has one contract with Serco which is for the completion of data collection for the short break and parent participation elements of the Department's Aiming High for Disabled Children (AHDC) programme. The contract value is £4.95 million.

Serco

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish each contract his Department (a) holds and (b) has held since May 2010 with (i) Serco and (ii) the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services; and what the (A) payment arrangements and (B) key performance targets are in respect of each such contract.

Tim Loughton: As from January 2011, the Department published all new contracts with a value over £10,000 as part of the Government's transparency agenda. There is no requirement to publish contracts held any earlier than this. The information about contracts can be found at:
	http://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/
	The following table shows the contract title, payment arrangements and key performance targets for the period specified:
	
		
			 Contract/grant title Payment arrangement Key performance target 
			 Contract: Serco   
			 Improving information sharing and management (IISaM) programme (terminated) In arrears based on consultancy days. Develop and deliver a procurement strategy to deadline to sustain delivery of ContactPoint ensuring value for money. 
			   The programme meets Gateway review requirements which are a standard for project success. 
			 Contract: Serco   
			 Aiming High for Disabled Children (AHDC) programme (current) In arrears to a payments schedule. Five key targets with linked KPIs for example: 
			   Establish national parental network. 
			   Delivery of full service offer. 
			   Implementing support activity, e.g. quarterly LA cluster groups, learning sets. 
			   Implementation of DCATCH (Disabled Children's Access to Childcare) programme. 
			 Contract: Serco   
			 Support for the Development of children's centres and the modernisation of services for children and their families (completed) In arrears on delivery of services. 23 key performance targets including for example: 
			   Provide focus groups and associated outputs to a schedule agreed with DfE. 
			   Transfer of development and improvement process led by Together for Children has been transferred to LA ownership and direction by the end of December 2010 to 90% of Las. 
			 Contract: Serco   
			 Provision of consultancy Solution services in preparing for the introduction of new business processes and an Oracle Resource Management system (closed) In arrears based on daily rates. Conduct an initial peer review to understand the status of delivery to date and then provide consultancy services relating to: 
		
	
	
		
			   MI reports using the new Oracle system. 
			   Data model work incorporating organisation and structures, roles and responsibilities and security and access. 
			   Procurement to Pay work, guiding the operating model and procurement practices with the systems. 
			   Testing of the system. 
			 Contract: Serco   
			 Contract to support the Child Poverty Focus Services pilot in 10 LAs (completed) In arrears. Assist LAs to deliver the agreed number of children's centres so that by March 2010 there is a national total of at least 3,500 designated centres and by end September 2010 all communities in England have access to children's centre services. 
			 Contract: Serco   
			 Children and Learners Strategic Adviser Service (CLSA) This contract was to set up an integrated advisory service made up of a new cadre of strategic advisers, CLSAs, to lead and co-ordinate high level strategic support and challenge to LAs and Children's Trusts on behalf of DCSF (terminated) In arrears to a payment schedule. 4 key performance targets with linked KPIs: 
			   Deliver an agreed transition plan which establishes the CLSA service by April 2010. 
			   Management of the CLSA service. 
			   Delivery of improvement support. 
			   Assessment of the impact of the CLSA service. 
			 Grant: Centre for Excellenceand Outcomes (C4EO)   
		
	
	
		
			 Funding to National Children's Bureau (NCB) for purpose of delivering the business of the C4EO (terminated) Payments through NCB in advance on receipt of a claim form and subject to delivery of an agreed work plan and progress reports. 8 key performance targets with linked KPIs including for example: 
			   C4EO established as a key agent in improving outcomes for children. 
			   Capacity of the sector to improve children's outcomes is increased. 
			   C4EO influences change in systems to improve children's outcomes.

Youth Services: Finance

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department plans to allocate to youth services in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13.

Tim Loughton: Funding from central Government to local authorities for local youth services for 2011-12 and beyond is included in an Early Intervention Grant (EIG). In total £2.212 million in 2011-12 and £2.297 million in 2012-13 is being allocated to local authorities in England through the EIG.
	In addition, the Department has allocated:
	£110 million in 2011-12 and £24 million in 2012-12 to myplace, a national capital programme to build world class youth centres.
	£15 million in each of 2011-12 and 2012-13 for youth as part of the Voluntary and Community Sector Grant programme.
	£350,000 in 2011-12 and £500,000 in 2012-13 to promote and support youth participation in England both nationally and locally. This includes sustaining the activities of the UK Youth Parliament.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 6 September 2010, Official Report, column 302W, on the electoral register, whether he has commissioned any further analysis or additional research into the reasons for local and regional variations in electoral registration.

Mark Harper: The Cabinet Office is funding the Electoral Commission to carry out research to provide a robust, national measure of completeness and accuracy of the registers. The research will also provide some data on different demographic breakdowns. The study will report towards the end of 2011.
	The Commission will be conducting further research which will check the registers against the census, and this will provide more up to date data on detailed demographic breakdowns. This study is expected to report in 2013.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Stillbirths

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has had recent discussions with the devolved Administrations on the registration of stillbirths.

Theresa May: I have not had any recent discussions with the devolved Administrations on this matter. While the system of stillbirth registration is very similar in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, civil registration is a devolved service and a matter for each of the Administrations.

Police Numbers

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the likely number of police officers in 2012.

Nick Herbert: It is a matter for the chief constable and the police authority in each force to determine the number of police officers that are deployed within the available resource.

Police Numbers

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment her Department has made of the relationship between numbers of police officers and levels of crime.

Theresa May: The Home Affairs Select Committee said in February:
	“we accept that there is no simple relationship between numbers of police officers and levels of crime”.
	The Government agrees.

Police Numbers

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of reductions in police numbers.

Nick Herbert: It is for the chief constable and the police authority of each force to determine the number of police officers that are deployed within the available resource.

CCTV Cameras

Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the use of CCTV cameras.

James Brokenshire: The Government recognises the importance of CCTV in preventing and detecting crime and supports its use by communities. The Government also acknowledges that continued use of CCTV requires the support of the public and public confidence that systems are being used appropriately.
	Accordingly, we intend to introduce a Code of Practice for Surveillance Cameras and appoint a Surveillance Camera Commissioner.

Animal Experiments

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if she will assess the potential effects on Government policy on the use of animals in scientific experiments of the planned expansion of the Marshall Biosciences beagle breeding facility in East Yorkshire;
	(2)  if she will estimate the maximum annual number of beagles to be bred for experimental purposes if the proposed expansion of the Marshall Biosciences beagle breeding facility in East Yorkshire were given a certificate of designation.

Lynne Featherstone: Under section 7 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, places where animals specified in schedule 2 to the Act are bred for use in regulated procedures, or are kept for supply for use in such procedures or to other designated sources, must be designated as breeding and/or supplying establishments. Applications for designation are considered on a case by case basis according to their merits. It is not Home Office policy to comment on individual applications.

Animal Experiments

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain, 2009, what types of procedures were carried out on macaques for the primary purpose of protection of man, animals or the environment.

Lynne Featherstone: There were 504 procedures started in 2009 in Great Britain using macaques. The available information from statistical returns is published in Table l of the annual publication ‘Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2009’, a copy of which is available from the Library of the House and from the Department's website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/science/research-testing-using-animals/
	The full description of the primary purpose ‘protection of man, animals or the environment’ (available from Appendix B Form Notes of the annual publication available from the same website) is as follows:
	“Protection of man, animals or environment by toxicological or other safety or environmental evaluation (excluding medical or veterinary products or appliances). This category is intended to cater for toxicological work which is not related either to fundamental research or to the solution of medical or veterinary problems as such. Ecological studies may be included here with the appropriate codes in ROWs 10-12: A codes for toxicological testing or B codes for other investigative studies.”
	More detailed information on the purpose of the procedures is not collected as part of the annual statistical data collection.

Antisocial Behaviour: Noise

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instances of abuse by a local authority of its powers in connection with the investigation of neighbour noise complaints have been reported to her Department in the latest period for which figures are available.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has received no such reports about instances of abuse by a local authority.

Criminal Records: Databases

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has assessed the merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to revise the requirement for personal records held on the Police National Computer to be retained until a person is deemed to have attained 100 years of age.

Lynne Featherstone: Criminal record and associated personal information is retained on the Police National Computer (PNC) in accordance with guidelines issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers. Such information is normally held until the subject reaches 100 years of age.
	It is essential to retain certain personal records on the PNC to assist the police and other agencies in protecting the public. There are currently no plans to legislate to change the existing position. However, the Government's Independent Advisor for Criminality Information Management, Mrs Sunita Mason, is continuing with her review of the criminal records regime and I understand she will be submitting her final report shortly. Further consideration will be given to this issue of retention in developing the Government's response to that report.

Domestic Violence: Females

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to protect women from domestic and sexual violence.

Lynne Featherstone: In March this year we published a detailed Action Plan on tackling Violence Against Women and Girls. We have already delivered in several areas including a commitment to provide more than £28 million of Home Office funding over four years for local specialist services to support victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Drugs

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment her Department has made of the relative (a) toxicity and (b) addictivity of (i) heroin, (ii) cocaine, (iii) cannabis, (iv) ecstasy and (v) amphetamines;
	(2)  what assessment her Department has made of the relative (a) toxicity and (b) addictivity of cannabis when it is (i) smoked and (ii) inhaled through a vaporizer.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office does not undertake research of the nature which the hon. Member is asking. These matters predominantly lie within health policy.
	However, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) provides advice to Government on both the health and social harms of drugs, based on all available evidence. Its advice is published on the ACMD’s web pages at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/acmd/reports-research/

Drugs: Misuse

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the criminalisation of salvia divinorum.

James Brokenshire: Salvia divinorum is not subject to control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) continue to keep salvia divinorum under review, as part of its work on new psychoactive substances.

Drugs: Misuse

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' recommendation that foil be exempted from Section 9A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

James Brokenshire: The Department received a submission from the Cross-Party Group on Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Harm Reduction supporting the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' recommendation that foil be exempted from Section 9A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 last December.
	The issues raised in the Advisory Council's recommendation relate more widely to the policy on patient health and harm reduction which the Department of Health leads on. My officials are working closely with Department of Health officials to ensure that our joint interests are recognised in the Government's response to the recommendation which will be published soon.

EU Law

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what European directives in force on 1 April 2010 her Department is responsible; and what European directives for which her Department is responsible have come into force since 1 April 2010.

James Brokenshire: The following EU directives, for which the Home Office is responsible, were in force on 1 April 2010:
	Council Directive 91/477/EEC of 18 June 1991 on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons and Directive 2008/51/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 amending Council Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons;
	Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin;
	Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation;
	Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001 on minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance of efforts between member states in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof;
	Council Directive 2001/40/EC of 28 May 2001 on the mutual recognition of decisions on the expulsion of third country nationals;
	Council Directive 2001/51/EC of 28 June 2001 supplementing the provisions of Article 26 of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985;
	Council Directive 2002/90/EC of 28 November 2002 defining the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and residence;
	Council Directive 2003/9/EC of 27 January 2003 laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers;
	Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents;
	Council Directive 2003/86/EC of 22 September 2003 on the right to family reunification;
	Commission Directive 2003/101/EC of 3 November 2003 amending Council Directive 92/109/EEC on the manufacture and placing on the market of certain substances used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and Council Directive 92/109/EEC on the manufacture and placing on the market of certain substances used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;
	Council Directive 2003/110/EC of 25 November 2003 on assistance in cases of transit for the purposes of removal by air;
	Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the member states amending Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 and repealing Directives 64/221/EEC, 68/360/EEC, 72/194/EEC, 73/148/EEC, 75/34/EEC, 75/35/EEC, 90/364/EEC, 90/365/EEC and 93/96/EEC;
	Council Directive 2004/81/EC of 29 April 2004 on the residence permit issued to third-country nationals who are victims of trafficking in human beings or who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration, who cooperate with the competent authorities;
	Council Directive 2004/114/EC of 13 December 2004 on the conditions of admission of third-country nationals for the purposes of studies, pupil exchange, unremunerated training or voluntary service;
	Council Directive 2004/82/EC of 29 April 2004 on the obligation of carriers to communicate passenger data;
	Council Directive 2004/83/EC of 29 April 2004 on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection and the content of the protection granted;
	Directive 2004/113/EC of 13 December 2004 implementing the principle of equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services;
	Council Directive 2005/85/EC of 1 December 2005 on minimum standards on procedures in member states for granting and withdrawing refugee status;
	Council Directive 2005/71/EC of 12 October 2005 on a specific procedure for admitting third-country nationals for the purposes of scientific research;
	Directive 2006/54/EC of 5 July 2006 on the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment and occupation (recast);
	Directive 2006/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 on the retention of data generated or processed in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services or of public communications networks and amending Directive 2002/58/EC;
	Council Directive 2008/114/EC of 8 December 2008 on the identification and designation of European critical infrastructures and the assessment of the need to improve their protection;
	Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in member states for returning illegally staying third-country nationals;
	Council Directive 2009/50/EC of 25 May 2009 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of highly qualified employment; and
	Directive 2009/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 providing for minimum standards on sanctions and measures against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals.
	Two EU directives, for which the Home Office has responsibility, have entered into force since 1 April 2010:
	Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes; and
	Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2011 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA.
	The UK does not participate in all of these directives.

Harassment

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training police officers receive on dealing with and processing allegations of stalking and harassment.

Lynne Featherstone: The National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) provides support to the Police Service with regard to the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 by including relevant training within the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP), ensuring that all new officers have the appropriate skills, knowledge and understanding.
	The NPIA is currently working with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead for stalking and harassment to develop a short module of learning, in consultation with victims, service providers and policy makers. This module will be available over the coming months and will replace or supplement existing content in initial training as well as providing a stand-alone element for all officers and existing staff.

Harassment

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether police officers are required to conduct a risk assessment in respect of individuals who complain about stalking and harassment of a (a) non-online and (b) online form.

Lynne Featherstone: The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Council accredited the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence (DASH) Risk Identification, Assessment and Management Model to be implemented across all police services in the UK from March 2009 as part of the police response to domestic abuse. Although the use of the DASH model is currently discretionary, the Home Office is actively working with ACPO to encourage all forces to use it.

Harassment

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes were recorded under each section of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 in 2010.

Lynne Featherstone: It is not possible to separately identify crimes relating to the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 from the data that the police send to Home Office Statistics Unit. Offences relating to this Act have been grouped together in Home Office classification 8L ‘harassment’. There were 53,029 offences recorded in this classification for 2009-10, the latest year for which data are published. This classification also includes a small number of summary offences of harassment of a person in his home under the Section 42A Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 as added to by Section 126 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

National Crime Agency: Human Trafficking

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role the UK Human Trafficking Centre will have in her plans for a National Crime Agency.

Theresa May: The UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) is a core part of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). The National Crime Agency will bring together the specialist capabilities of SOCA, including the UKHTC and other agencies, into a single body that will drive an effective national response to all forms of organised crime.

Offences against Children

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been (a) arrested and (b) charged for offences relating to child sexual exploitation including grooming in each police authority area in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

James Brokenshire: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	The arrests collection held by the Home Office covers recorded crime (notifiable offences) only, broken down by offence group only (e.g. sexual offences). From these centrally reported categories, it is not possible to identify specific offences.
	The collection does not contain information on subsequent outcomes of arrests.

Police: Accountability

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the name is of each person or organisation who has responded to the Government's consultation on its proposals for elected police and crime commissioners.

Theresa May: holding answer 23 June 2011
	“Policing in the 21st century: reconnecting police and the people, Summary of consultation responses and next steps”, published in December 2010, listed all respondents to proposals for directly elected police and crime commissioners. A copy is in the Library of the House.

Police: Manpower

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many police officers there were in (a) England, (b) the North West, (c) Cumbria and (d) South Lakeland district in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many police community support officers there were in South Lakeland district in each of the last five years.

Nick Herbert: holding answer 23 June 2011
	Available data are provided in tables A and B.
	
		
			 Table A: Police officer strength in England, north-west region  (1)  , Cumbria and Barrow and Kendal BCU, as at 31 March, 2001 to 2010 and  30 September 2010 
			 Full-time equivalent  (1) 
			  2001  (2) 2002  (2) 2003  (1) 2004  (1) 2005  (1) 2006  (1) 2007  (1) 2008  (1) 2009  (1) 2010  (1) Sept 2010 
			 England 123,476 127,267 131,426 137,105 139,491 139,631 140,032 139,728 141,647 141,631 132,488 
			 North-west region 17,295 17,805 18,040 19,113 19,327 19,215 19,303 19,341 19,618 19,408 18,992 
			 Cumbria 1,048 1,100 1,140 1,222 1,232 1,230 1,244 1,228 1,257 1,214 1,195 
			 Barrow and Kendal BCU(3) (4)— (4)— 352 382 378 380 380 315 315 303 (5)— 
			 (1) Full-time equivalent figures on a comparable strength basis (excludes those on career breaks, or maternity/paternity leave). The Police Numbers Task Force (2001) recommended that a clear presentation was made of the numbers of staff employed by police forces including those seconded into the force and those on any type of long or short-term absence. These new calculations were first used in 2003, and are not comparable with data prior to March 2003. The data from 2003 onwards used here are termed comparable because they have been calculated on the old basis to allow comparison. (2) These are full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. They include all officers less staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave (comparable with previously published figures). (3) Barrow and Kendal basic command unit (BCU) comprises of the South Lakeland and Barrow-in-Furness Community Safety Partnership (CSPs). (4) Basic command unit (BCU) data were not collected centrally by the Home Office prior to 2003. (5) Basic command unit (BCU) figures are not available centrally for September 2010. Police officer breakdown by BCU for 31 March 2011 should be available when 2010-11 statistics are published in July. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table B: Police community support officer strength  (1)  ,   Barrow and Kendal basic command unit 
			 Full-time equivalent  (1) 
			  2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Barrow and Kendal BCU(2) (3)— 33 33 37 39 
			 (1) These are full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. They include officers on career break or maternity/paternity leave.  (2) Barrow and Kendal basic command unit (BCU) comprises of the South Lakeland and Barrow-in-Furness Community Safety Partnership (CSPs).  (3) Information is not available centrally. Basic command unit data for police community support officers were not collected centrally by the Home Office prior to 2007.

Police: Powers

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances police officers may search and seize the electronic equipment of persons charged with an offence under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 or related legislation.

Lynne Featherstone: The offences set out in sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 are indictable offences, for which police have powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to search for and seize electronic equipment as evidence of those offences.
	The police can seek a search warrant under section 8 of the 1984 Act by satisfying a magistrate of the conditions set out in section 8(1) of that Act. Where the material sought by the police falls under the definition of ‘special procedure material’ set out in section 14 of the 1984 Act, a warrant must be obtained from a circuit judge in accordance with the provisions of schedule 1 of that Act.
	Police also have the powers to enter and search premises without a search warrant which are subject to the conditions set out in sections 18 and 32 of the 1984 Act.

Primates: Imports

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department has assessed the merits made of extending the current ban on the import of wild-caught primates to include the first generation offspring of wild-caught primates.

Lynne Featherstone: Article 10 of European directive 2010/63 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes requires that from dates set out in annex II to the directive, member states shall ensure that all non-human primates listed in that annex may only be used in procedures where they are the offspring of animals bred in captivity or sourced from self-sustaining colonies. Under article 10, the European Commission must carry out a feasibility study by 10 November 2017 to confirm or amend the dates in annex II. The United Kingdom contribution to the feasibility study will be considered at the appropriate time when consulted by the Commission. Directive 2010/63/EU must be implemented by member states from 1 January 2013.
	Article 10 also requires that animals of all species of non-human primates used in scientific procedures must be purpose bred unless there is justification for the use of wild caught animals. The United Kingdom has operated a similar policy since 1995 and has not authorised the first time use of wild caught primates for more than 10 years.

Sexual Offences

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sexual assaults (a) were reported to the police and (b) resulted in a conviction in (i) England, (ii) the North West, (iii) Cumbria and (iv) South Lakeland district in each of the last 10 years.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 23 June 2011
	Data on police recorded offences of sexual assault are collected by the Home Office. Due to recording changes, the data are not comparable across the period requested.
	The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in April 2002 and data are not comparable before and after this date. Additionally, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 was introduced in May 2004 and this altered the definition and coverage of sexual offences. The data are shown separately for 2000-01 to 2001-02 and for 2002-03 to 2009-10 in Tables A and B respectively.
	Data on reported sexual assaults which resulted in convictions are not available as it is not possible to track individual offences through to their outcome at court. These data are published on a calendar year basis and are counts of persons classified by their principal offence. As such, convictions data cannot be directly compared to police recorded crime data.
	Convictions data are based on the number of offenders and have been provided by the Ministry of Justice in Table C. Data are provided for the number of defendants found guilty of sexual assault in England, the north-west and Cumbria police force area for 2000 to 2010. Information on convictions is not collated below police force area centrally by the Ministry of Justice. The data are a further breakdown of those published in the Criminal Statistics, Supplementary Volumes for England and Wales for the years 2000 to 2010. Court proceedings data for 2011 will be available in the spring of 2012.
	The Court Proceedings Database holds information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. These data include information on the age of the defendant, their gender, the police force area and the court where the proceedings took place as well as the offence and statute for the offence.
	
		
			 Table A: Rape and sexual assault offences recorded in England, 2000-01 to 2001-02 
			  2000-01 2001-02  (1) 
			 South Lakeland local authority   
			 Rape of a female 6 7 
			 Rape of a female aged 16 and over — — 
			 Rape of a female child under 16 — — 
			 Rape of a female child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Rape of a male 0 1 
			 Rape of a male aged 16 and over — — 
			 Rape of a male child under 16 — — 
			 Rape of a male child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Total rape offences 6 8 
			    
			 Indecent assault on a male 5 0 
			 Sexual assault on a male aged 13 and over — — 
			 Sexual assault on a male child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Indecent assault on a female 17 20 
			 Sexual assault on a female aged 13 and over — — 
			 Sexual assault on a female child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Total sexual assault offences 22 20 
			    
			 Total rape and sexual assault offences 28 28 
			    
			 Cumbria police force area   
			 Rape of a female 37 44 
			 Rape of a female aged 16 and over — — 
			 Rape of a female child under 16 — — 
			 Rape of a female child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Rape of a male 0 3 
			 Rape of a male aged 16 and over — — 
			 Rape of a male child under 16 — — 
			 Rape of a male child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Total rape offences 37 47 
			    
			 Indecent assault on a male 15 8 
			 Sexual assault on a male aged 13 and over — — 
			 Sexual assault on a male child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Indecent assault on a female 98 126 
			 Sexual assault on a female aged 13 and over — — 
			 Sexual assault on a female child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Total sexual assault offences 113 134 
			    
			 Total rape and sexual assault offences 150 181 
		
	
	
		
			 North West region   
			 Rape of a female 1,021 1,069 
			 Rape of a female aged 16 and over — — 
			 Rape of a female child under 16 — — 
			 Rape of a female child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Rape of a male 81 103 
			 Rape of a male aged 16 and over — — 
			 Rape of a male child under 16 — — 
			 Rape of a male child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Total rape offences 1,102 1,172 
			    
			 Indecent assault on a male 486 431 
			 Sexual assault on a male aged 13 and over — — 
			 Sexual assault on a male child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Indecent assault on a female 2,517 2,733 
			 Sexual assault on a female aged 13 and over — — 
			 Sexual assault on a female child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Total sexual assault offences 3,003 3,164 
			    
			 Total rape and sexual assault offences 4,105 4,336 
			    
			 England   
			 Rape of a female 7,603 8,632 
			 Rape of a female aged 16 and over — — 
			 Rape of a female child under 16 — — 
			 Rape of a female child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Rape of a male 630 693 
			 Rape of a male aged 16 and over — — 
			 Rape of a male child under 16 — — 
			 Rape of a male child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Total rape offences 8,233 9,325 
			    
			 Indecent assault on a male 3,355 3,426 
			 Sexual assault on a male aged 13 and over — — 
			 Sexual assault on a male child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Indecent assault on a female 19,370 20,887 
			 Sexual assault on a female aged 13 and over — — 
			 Sexual assault on a female child under 13 — — 
			    
			 Total sexual assault offences 22,725 24,313 
			    
			 Total rape and sexual assault offences 30,958 33,638 
			 (1 )The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in April 2002, although some forces adopted NCRS practices before the standard was formally introduced. Figures before and after that date are not directly comparable. The introduction of NCRS led to a rise in recording in 2002/03 and, particularly for violent crime, in the following years as forces continued to improve compliance with the new standard. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table B: Sexual assault offences recorded in England and Wales, 2002-03 to 2009-10 
			  2002-03  (1) 2003-04 2004-05  (2) 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10  (3) 
			 South Lakeland local authority         
			 Rape of a female 9 14 3 1 0 2 0 — 
			 Rape of a female aged 16 and over — — 6 6 6 4 1 12 
			 Rape of a female child under 16 — — 4 4 1 6 2 4 
			 Rape of a female child under 13 — — 0 0 1 0 0 2 
			          
			 Rape of a male 1 3 1 1 1 0 1 — 
		
	
	
		
			 Rape of a male aged 16 and over — — 0 0 0 0 0 1 
			 Rape of a male child under 16 — — 0 0 0 0 0 2 
			 Rape of a male child under 13 — — 0 0 1 0 2 0 
			          
			 Total rape offences 10 17 14 12 10 14 6 21 
			          
			 Indecent assault on a male 5 9 4 0 0 0 0 — 
			 Sexual assault on a male aged 13 and over — — 3 5 3 2 0 0 
			 Sexual assault on a male child under 13 — — 0 3 1 0 2 4 
			          
			 Indecent assault on a female 18 28 23 1 0 0 0 — 
			 Sexual assault on a female aged 13 and over — — 6 16 23 21 15 11 
			 Sexual assault on a female child under 13 — — 4 5 1 5 5 6 
			          
			 Total sexual assault offences 23 37 40 30 28 28 22 21 
			          
			 Total rape and sexual assault offences 33 54 54 42 38 42 28 42 
			          
			 Cumbria police force area         
			 Rape of a female 61 71 29 4 3 4 1 — 
			 Rape of a female aged 16 and over — — 28 46 36 51 34 66 
			 Rape of a female child under 16 — — 13 18 19 21 21 22 
			 Rape of a female child under 13 — — 3 5 5 2 13 15 
			          
			 Rape of a male 5 3 5 4 7 3 2 — 
			 Rape of a male aged 16 and over — — 1 0 0 0 0 3 
			 Rape of a male child under 16 — — 0 0 0 0 0 2 
			 Rape of a male child under 13 — — 0 0 3 0 4 4 
			          
			 Total rape offences 66 74 79 77 73 81 75 112 
			          
			 Indecent assault on a male(3) 19 27 12 0 1 4 0 — 
			 Sexual assault on a male aged 13 and over(3) — — 12 15 9 15 9 7 
			 Sexual assault on a male child under 13(3) — — 6 17 6 7 7 11 
			          
			 Indecent assault on a female(3) 120 158 129 29 0 0 0 — 
			 Sexual assault on a female aged 13 and over(3) — — 19 76 117 124 122 101 
			 Sexual assault on a female child under 13(3) — — 13 49 29 38 36 30 
			          
			 Total sexual assault offences 139 185 191 186 162 188 174 149 
			          
			 Total rape and sexual assault offences 205 259 270 263 235 269 249 261 
			          
			 North West region         
			 Rape of a female 1,377 1,634 125 1 1 5 23 — 
			 Rape of a female aged 16 and over — — 977 1,077 960 902 849 982 
			 Rape of a female child under 16 — — 428 432 386 331 342 358 
			 Rape of a female child under 13 — — 130 154 164 155 210 245 
			          
			 Rape of a male 103 123 9 4 7 4 4 — 
			 Rape of a male aged 16 and over — — 85 61 57 42 37 50 
			 Rape of a male child under 16 — — 42 40 44 41 26 37 
			 Rape of a male child under 13 — — 38 37 47 42 43 68 
			          
			 Total rape offences 1,480 1,757 1,834 1,804 1,666 1,522 1,534 1,740 
			          
			 Indecent assault on a male(3) 479 550 138 6 0 12 6 — 
			 Sexual assault on a male aged 13 and over(3) — — 177 178 214 190 125 129 
			 Sexual assault on a male child under 13(3) — — 190 220 176 160 134 126 
			          
			 Indecent assault on a female(3) 3,123 3,483 855 48 2 60 38 — 
		
	
	
		
			 Sexual assault on a female aged 13 and over(3) — — 1,721 2,084 1,966 1,785 1,723 1,749 
			 Sexual assault on a female child under 13(3) — — 612 713 650 550 480 526 
			          
			 Total sexual assault offences 3,602 4,033 3,693 3,249 3,008 2,757 2,506 2,530 
			          
			 Total rape and sexual assault offences 5,082 5,790 5,527 5,053 4,674 4,279 4,040 4,270 
			          
			 England         
			 Rape of a female 10,973 11,868 655 56 24 145 167 — 
			 Rape of a female aged 16 and over — — 7,897 8,376 7,869 7,228 7,383 8,700 
			 Rape of a female child under 16 — — 2,846 3,009 2,699 2,277 2,392 2,780 
			 Rape of a female child under 13 — — 922 1,329 1,453 1,361 1,533 1,830 
			          
			 Rape of a male 814 864 75 22 18 10 22 — 
			 Rape of a male aged 16 and over — — 428 414 395 318 303 357 
			 Rape of a male child under 16 — — 305 273 243 222 207 219 
			 Rape of a male child under 13 — — 285 347 428 394 374 524 
			          
			 Total rape offences 11,787 12,732 13,413 13,826 13,129 11,955 12,381 14,410 
			          
			 Indecent assault on a male(3) 3.915 3,907 981 325 76 205 149 — 
			 Sexual assault on a male aged 13 and over(3) — — 1,222 1,341 1,348 1,238 1.078 1,114 
			 Sexual assault on a male child under 13(3) — — 1,153 1,316 1,188 1,063 942 1,015 
			          
			 Indecent assault on a female(3) 23,735 25,565 4,938 1,010 262 742 554 — 
			 Sexual assault on a female aged 13 and over(3) — — 13,973 16,070 15,736 14,616 14,358 14.636 
			 Sexual assault on a female child under 13(3) — — 4,115 4.438 4,042 3,752 3,441 3,949 
			          
			 Total sexual assault offences 27,650 29,472 26,382 24,500 22,652 21,616 20,522 20,714 
			          
			 Total rape and sexual assault offences 39,437 42,204 39,795 38,326 35,781 33,571 32,903 35,124 
			 (1) The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in April 2002, although some forces adopted NCRS practices before the standard was formally introduced. Figures before and after that date are not directly comparable. The introduction of NCRS led to a rise in recording in 2002-03 and, particularly for violent crime, in the following years as forces continued to improve compliance with the new standard. (2) The Sexual Offences Act 2003, introduced in May 2004, altered the definition and coverage of sexual offences. (3) Prior to 2009-10, a small number of offences continued to be recorded relating to offences repealed by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. While these may have been legitimately recorded for offences committed prior to May 2004 it is also possible that some may have been recorded in these old categories in error, so any changes based on small numbers should be interpreted with caution. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table C: Defendants found guilty of sexual assault  (1,2)   and rape  (1,3)   at all courts by region, 2000-10 
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008  (4) 2009  (5) 2010 
			 Defendants found guilty of sexual assault            
			 Cumbria 21 28 30 32 15 29 20 20 20 24 24 
			 North West 398 403 404 356 374 349 344 348 321 294 341 
			 England 2,434 2,355 2,418 2,328 2,467 2,108 1,965 2,015 1,999 1,963 2,281 
			             
			 Defendants found guilty of rape            
			 Cumbria 3 6 6 8 11 7 6 9 4 4 10 
			 North West 84 103 86 97 104 118 131 116 153 149 152 
			 England 557 547 607 634 707 761 832 823 878 946 1,004 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Sexual assault includes indecent assault from offences prior to the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which introduced a large number of new offences which resulted in changes in the coverage of many of the offence classes shown in this table. As a result many of the figures for 2004 onwards are not comparable with those before. (3) Rape includes attempted rape. (4) Excludes convictions data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. (5) Revisions have been made to 2009 figures to account for the late receipt of a small number of court records. Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

WORK AND PENSIONS

A New Approach to Child Poverty

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to paragraph 1.10 of his Department's publication A New Approach to Child Poverty, how many children in each (a) region and (b) constituency live in workless households.

Maria Miller: The information is as follows:
	(a) Data on the number of children living in workless households by region from the Office for National Statistics' “Work and Worklessness among Households 2010” Statistical Bulletin is available here:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=14977
	Please refer to Table 3(iii). This information is sourced from the Household Labour Force Survey and is available for the April-June quarter only each year from 1997 to 2010.
	(b) This information has been placed in the Library.
	This information is sourced from the Annual Population Survey, January-December 2009.

Bread: Asthma

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2011, Official Report, column 91W, on bread: asthma, what the statistical data, other than the Surveillance of Work-Related Occupational Respiratory Disease scheme and the Occupational Physicians Reporting Activity scheme, are to which the answer refers.

Chris Grayling: The other statistical data sources to which the earlier answer refers are:
	1. The Self-Reported Work-Related Illness (SWI) survey—a series of questions about occupational injury and disease included annually within the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Based on the most recent SWI survey the number of new cases of “breathing and lung problems” caused or made worse by work during 2009-10 was estimated to be between 9,000 and 23,000 and a proportion of these cases are likely to be consistent with symptoms of occupational asthma.
	2. The Health and Occupation Reporting Network General Practitioner scheme (THOR GP) scheme—in which a sample of GPs record all new cases of occupational disease they see. The estimated annual incidence of work-related respiratory disease according to THOR was approximately 10,000 new cases per year during 2007-09. Information about the disease types suggests a substantial proportion of these will relate to occupational asthma.
	The data on respiratory disease provided by SWI and THOR GP enable the overall scale of these diseases to be estimated. It is not possible for the data to be broken down into detailed occupation or industry group because of the small number of actual cases reported by these data sources. Therefore, any estimates by industry group would be unreliable.

Carers

Pat Glass: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to undertake an equality impact assessment on the effect on carers of the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill.

Maria Miller: The proposals in the Bill impact on a wide variety of groups in different ways. Where a policy has a particular impact on carers the impacts of this will be considered as part of the assessment for that policy.

Children: Maintenance

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the capability of (a) children's centre workers, (b) GPs, (c) teachers and (d) Jobcentre Plus staff to provide support services to help parents make maintenance arrangements on separation; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: A central part of the vision set out in the Green Paper "Strengthening families, promoting parental responsibility: the future of child maintenance" is to make it easier for parents to access the support already available to deal with the effects of separation in a way that recognises their ongoing responsibilities as parents.
	During the Green Paper consultation, we have been talking to experts in the voluntary and community sector (VCS) who understand families' needs, including among others the Centre for Separated Families, Relate, and Gingerbread, and they tell us that local support itself could be delivered in a more integrated fashion. We will continue to work with the sector to understand how best to facilitate more joined-up services.
	We know from our discussions with VCS organisations that when families encounter problems it is often trusted professionals that parents turn to first. VCS have cited examples such as Sure Start children's centre workers and GPs, though of course the range of professionals who parents may approach first could be wider.
	We want to make it easier for the professionals that separating parents first approach to know what support is available and direct parents to that support. We will continue to work with colleagues in the Department for Education and other Government Departments to understand how this would work in practice, recognising the need to avoid placing undue burdens on professionals who are already working hard to support families in a range of different ways.
	We need to get this right for the long-term, to take forward the reform of the child maintenance system begun by the previous Government, following the recommendations of Sir David Henshaw, and set the system in the context of the range of support parents may need when they separate.
	We aim to publish the Government's response to the consultation shortly.

Conditions of Employment

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with (a) officials in his Department, (b) the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and (c) outside organisations on the potential effects of changes arising from the review of employment law on matters within his Department's responsibilities.

Chris Grayling: The review of employment-related laws being co-ordinated by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is a cross-Government initiative.
	All Departments with a responsibility for employment-related law are engaged in the process, and relevant Ministers and officials are in contact with BIS on a regular basis in taking forward the review.
	Departments are engaging with their stakeholders on issues relating to the employment-law review in accordance with their standard procedures for consulting formally and informally on policy development.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with (a) companies contracted to deliver the Work Programme and (b) trade unions representing affected staff on the application of the provisions of Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations to staff transferring from his Department to employment by such companies.

Chris Grayling: No staff from the Department for Work and Pensions are transferring to Work Programme contractors as there has been no transfer of any undertaking from the Department to the Work Programme, so there is no question of TUPE regulations applying.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the transition to the Work Programme on disabled staff previously employed on welfare to work programmes in his Department.

Chris Grayling: The Department expects contractors delivering welfare to work programmes to fulfil their statutory obligations, including equal treatment under TUPE (the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) and practical support for disabled employees, for example specialist equipment and reasonable adjustments. Therefore the Department does not anticipate that there will be a differential impact on disabled staff.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons the provisions of Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations are not to be applied to staff of his Department transferring from the Pathways to Work programme to Work programme contractors.

Chris Grayling: There has been no transfer of any undertaking from the Department for Work and Pensions to the Work programme and no staff are transferring to Work programme contractors, so there is no question of TUPE regulations applying.

Departmental Procurement

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what provisions in respect of behavioural standards have been included in procurement contracts issued by his Department since May 2010.

Chris Grayling: DWP have a number of requirements in respect of behavioural standards which third party providers have to adhere to in the delivery of contracted services and products. These requirements provide contractors with clear expectations relating to the contract performance in that:
	In all cases, contractors are required to perform their obligations under any Department contract in accordance with the law, statutory regulations, Government and departmental policies and good industry practice;
	Contractors are responsible for ensuring their staff are not claiming social security benefit, where payment is precluded due to earnings, and those who are not EC nationals are legally entitled to be resident in the United Kingdom and have a work permit. The contractor will comply with staff vetting procedures for all staff; these must be undertaken prior to contract start. They will ensure Criminal Records Bureau checks will be completed for relevant staff where necessary;
	Contractors must ensure there are effective anti-fraud control measures in place for both themselves and their subcontractors. The systems and processes look to ensure fraud is prevented and that it will be detected early if it does occur;
	Contractors are required to have policies and delivery plans (including staff training) in place, subject to Department review, relating to diversity and equality, sustainable development, and security requirements;
	Contractors need to comply with quality standards and need to maintain accreditation with the relevant quality standards authorisation body, where required by the contract. Where this is not the case, the contractors will deliver the provision to agreed contractual standards; and
	Contractors need to ensure that all staff supplying the Department do so with all due skill, care and diligence and need to possess such qualifications, skills and experience as are necessary for the proper supply of the services.
	The Department conducts a formal review of the obligations and performance of contracts at least annually. During this review, a performance report is agreed and contractors are required to undertake remedial activities, if required.

Departmental Regulation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the name is of each regulatory measure revoked by his Department between 1 March and 31 May 2011; and what estimate he has made of the potential annual saving to those affected by each revocation.

Chris Grayling: The regulations which have been revoked in the period between 1 March and 31 May 2011 are listed the following table. The Department publishes impact assessments for regulation that has a benefit to business, civil society organisations or the public sector and copies of these are placed in the Library of the House.
	
		
			 Instrument number Title Revoked by Laid In force from 
			 SI 2005/1610 Pension Protection Fund (Payments to meet Investment Costs) regulations 2005 SI 2011/671 Pension Protection Fund (Prescribed Payments and Investment Costs—Amendment) Regulations 2011 10 March 2011 1 April 2011 
			      
		
	
	
		
			 SI 2009/607 Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2009 SI 2011/830 Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2011 21 March 2011 11 April 2011 
			      
			 SI 2010/826 Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2010 SI 2011/830 Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2011 21 March 2011 11 April 2011

Disability Living Allowance: Care Homes

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the savings in real terms which will accrue from the withdrawal of mobility allowance from persons in residential care in each year of the comprehensive spending review period.

Maria Miller: The measure to remove the mobility component of disabled living allowance from people in residential care announced in the spending review was estimated to save the tax payer around £140 million each year in real terms.
	After listening to the strong concerns raised by individuals and organisations the Government made clear that they will not remove the mobility component from people in residential care in 2012. Instead, the needs of care home residents will be considered as part of the wider reform of disability living allowance and the implementation of personal independence payments from April 2013.

Disability: Children

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will assess the conclusions and recommendations of the report, Setting the Scene for Scotland's Disabled Children.

Maria Miller: We welcome this report, which provides a significant addition to the evidence base on disabled children in Scotland.
	You may be interested in results from the recently published, Life Opportunities Survey, by the Office for National Statistics on behalf of the Office for Disability Issues. This explores the prevalence of disabled adults and children across Great Britain and the extent of social barriers they face in different areas of life. Details of the report can be found on the ODI website:
	www.odi.gov.uk/los

Education: Training

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether individuals mandated to undertake education and training as part of skills conditionality proposals will potentially be liable for higher-level sanctions.

Chris Grayling: From 1 August 2011, jobseeker's allowance claimants who fail to undertake education or training without good cause when required to do so will lose all of their benefit or training allowance for a fixed period of two, four or up to 26 weeks. Employment and support allowance claimants in the work-related activity group who fail to undertake education or training without good cause when required to do so will lose 50% of the work-related activity component for the first four weeks and then 100% of the component thereafter until they meet the requirements of the mandatory referral to education or training.
	The Welfare Reform Bill introduces a clearer sanctions structure which will apply across all working-age benefits. This will have different levels, including a higher level for the most serious failures. Failures to undertake mandatory education or training will not be sanctioned at the higher level. Where jobseeker's allowance or employment and support allowance claimants do not have good reason for failing to accept a mandatory referral to education or training, they will receive a lower-level sanction, of which there will be two components: an open -ended period which will end when a claimant re-engages, followed by a fixed period of one, two or four weeks.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals who will receive contributory employment and support allowance (a) in the work-related activity group and (b) in the assessment phase, will have claims which (i) will not have a duration of more than 365 days on any day in each financial year between 2011-12 and 2015-16 and (ii) will have a duration of 366 days or more on at least one day during each such year.

Chris Grayling: holding answer 9 June 2011
	The information requested is in the following table. This shows the Department’s forecast of the number of people receiving contributory employment and support allowance (ESA) with durations of 365 days or less, or greater than 365 days, in any day of each financial year. This is calculated by adding the case load at the end of the financial year with the number of claimants who have ceased claiming contributory ESA during the year.
	For those who leave the contributory ESA as a result of the time limit, it is estimated that around 60% are expected to be fully or partially compensated by income-related ESA, so will retain entitlement to ESA.
	There will be some people leaving the benefit because their health improves; others health will deteriorate and they will move from the WRAG into the support group. Those claimants that remain in the WRAG will include claimants whose conditions fluctuate or who have developed other functional impairments.
	
		
			 ESA phase Claim duration 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 
			 Assessment phase 365 days or less 323,200 383,600 390,200 365,800 363,400 
		
	
	
		
			  Greater than 365 days 18,800 0 0 0 0 
			        
			 Work-related activity group 365 days or less 191,200 385,700 428,600 305,500 119,400 
			  Greater than 365 days 124,300 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	The information is consistent with the Budget 2011 forecasts and rounded to the nearest 100 claimants.

Employment and Support Allowance

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which organisations and charities representing people with disabilities he has met to discuss his proposals to limit the payment of contributory employment and support allowance to one year; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The Department values the views of disability groups and we engage in ongoing and helpful dialogue both at ministerial and official level with a number of group representatives.
	Since this measure was announced as part of the spending review in October, both Ministers and officials have met with representatives from organisations representing disabled people, such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Disability Alliance, Citizens Advice, Mind and Scope.
	The Department is committed to engaging with organisations such as these on an ongoing basis as part of our wider consultation on the implications of our proposals for welfare reform, to ensure that the social security system supports disabled people and those with health conditions in the most sensitive, fair and appropriate way.

Employment Schemes

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether an equality impact assessment has been undertaken on the introduction of the Work Programme.

Chris Grayling: An equality impact assessment for the design of Work Programme was conducted and included as part of the equality impact assessment for the overall Employment, Skills and Enterprise regulations, which cover the Work Programme; this has been published on the DWP website.
	An equality impact assessment for the delivery of the Work Programme will be published before the summer recess.

Employment Support

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 45WS, on employment support (disabled people), what plans he has to consult employees of Remploy in relation to the recommendations of the Sayce review; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: The independent report by Liz Sayce, ‘Getting in, staying in and getting on’, was published on 9 June 2011. The report contains a range of specific recommendations, including recommendations on Remploy. The Government will issue their response to this report shortly and will consult in full on any recommendations to be taken forward. These consultations will include any individuals or organisations affected by any proposed changes.
	Further to this, I already have regular dialogue with Remploy management and unions.

Employment: Hearing Impairment

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support his Department provides for deaf and hard of hearing people to help them enter employment; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: The Department is implementing welfare to work reforms which aim to fight poverty, support the most vulnerable and help people, including deaf and hard of hearing people, to break any cycle of benefit dependency and to find employment.
	Jobcentre Plus is committed to helping disabled people find a suitable, sustainable job in their local area through the support it delivers through its network of advisers. Advisers now have more responsibility to assess individuals' needs within local labour markets and to offer them the support they think is most appropriate, including a number of 'Get Britain Working' measures, designed to provide help for those seeking work or to move into self employment. The exact nature and range of help on offer, delivered in conjunction with local and national partner organisations, will vary from area to area as local managers have the discretion to deliver the services that they believe will help people in their area to secure work the most.
	In addition, disability employment advisers can identify suitable job opportunities and act as an advocate for customers with employers, if appropriate. They will also aim to identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties relating to a customer's disability and can signpost customers and their employers to the Access to Work Service. Jobcentre Plus also has specialist programmes that help disabled people move into paid work, such as Residential Training and Work Choice. Disability employment advisers also use the professional expertise of work psychologists specialising in working with disabled people.
	Underpinning 'Get Britain Working' is the introduction of the Work Programme which was launched on 1 June. The Work Programme will provide a single, personalised, welfare to work programme for all customer groups. It will be delivered through a combination of contracted employment provision via private, public and voluntary sectors as well as Jobcentre Plus led service delivery. The Work Programme will simplify the complex array of existing employment programmes and deliver coherent, integrated support, more capable of dealing with complex and overlapping barriers to work, providing personalised help for people who find themselves out of work regardless of the benefit they claim. Disability employment advisers will also be able to refer claimants to Work Programme where appropriate.

Foreign Workers: EU Nationals

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps his Department has taken to prevent fraudulent claims by EU migrant workers claiming benefits in the UK.

Chris Grayling: EU nationals who have worked and paid sufficient national insurance contributions, and meet the other conditions of entitlement, may be entitled to contributory benefits such as jobseeker's allowance. Those who have not paid sufficient contributions may claim income-related benefits providing they satisfy the habitual residence test and meet the other conditions of entitlement. EU nationals may also be entitled to child benefit and tax credits if, among the usual conditions, they are physically present in the UK, ordinarily resident in the UK, and have a right to reside in the UK.
	Robust gateway checks are already in place to prevent national insurance numbers (NINOs) being used fraudulently for the purpose of abusing the benefit system. For example, where the Department identifies that a NINO has been used for attempted benefit fraud or is aware that it may be vulnerable to fraudulent use, the relevant account is annotated accordingly on our systems and any subsequent benefit claim using that NINO would automatically be subjected to close scrutiny and, if appropriate, be referred to the Department's Fraud Investigation Service.
	In addition to this, robust identity verification checks are in place to prevent fraudsters acquiring NINOs. During 2010-11, Jobcentre Plus refused to allocate 50,000 NINOs as the applicants had failed to meet one or more of the checks we have in place.
	In 2009, following intelligence from Jobcentre Plus staff, DWP developed and introduced further checks to strengthen the NINO allocation process to counter fraud where individuals, often from countries within the EU, are trafficked into the UK by criminals for the purpose of fraudulently accessing the benefit and tax credits systems.
	The Department keeps its benefit gateway checks under constant review and modifies them as necessary to ensure that only those who are entitled to social security benefits are receiving them.

Foreign Workers: EU Nationals

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2011, Official Report, columns 191-92W, on foreign workers: EU nationals, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the implications for immigration policy of his policy on habitual residency.

Chris Grayling: Ministers and officials of the Department for Work and Pensions and the Home Office have regular discussion on matters of mutual interest, including the habitual residence test.
	The test is designed to prevent ‘benefit tourism’ by people who come here from abroad and immediately claim benefits, its purpose is to ensure that income-related benefits are paid to people with reasonably close ties to the UK and an intention to settle here.

Future Jobs Fund

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the effect of the cancellation of the Future Jobs Fund on the projections for unemployment made by the Office for Budget Responsibility in June 2010.

Chris Grayling: The Department has made no such estimates.

Habitual Residence

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2011, Official Report, columns 192-93W, on habitual residence, who the decision makers are in respect of determining habitual residence; how many determinations were made in the latest period for which figures are available; what the cost to the public purse was of making such determinations; in which locations the determinations were made; and whether the outcome of a determination may be challenged.

Chris Grayling: Decisions on the habitual residence test are made by specialist Jobcentre Plus and Pension, Disability and Carers Service decision makers based in all benefit delivery offices and pension centres which process claims. In addition, there are two centralised specialist teams making habitual residence decisions for EEA nationals. The Jobcentre Plus team is part of Aberdeen benefit centre and the Pension, Disability and Carers Service team is based in the pension centre in Newcastle.
	For the 12-month period from June 2010 to May 2011, there were 64,215 habitual residence decisions.
	Information about costs for making a decision on the habitual residence test is not available.
	All decisions made by a decision maker can be appealed. This includes habitual residence decisions.

Health and Safety Executive: Sonae

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on which dates the Health and Safety Executive inspected the Sonae factory in Kirkby in each of the last 10 years; and what the cost of each such visit was.

Chris Grayling: In the calendar years 2001 to 2010, the Health and Safety Executive has carried out inspections at the Sonae factory on the following dates:
	11 July 2002; 4 October 2002; 15 October 2002; 8 February 2005; 8 April 2009 (with follow-up visit on 4 May 2009); 14 May 2009 and 26 March 2010.
	HSE has also carried out an audit of the company, which involved visiting the site on 7 September 2007, 29 October 2007 and 13 March 2008.
	HSE records do not include sufficient data to calculate the cost of each of these inspections.

Health and Safety Executive: Sonae

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on which dates the Health and Safety Executive initiated an investigation into the Sonae factory at Kirkby in each of the last 10 years; and what the cost was of each such investigation.

Chris Grayling: In the calendar years 2001 to 2010, the Health and Safety Executive has initiated 11 on-site investigations into incidents at the Sonae factory in Kirkby. These were initiated on:
	27 March 2001;
	4 September 2001;
	1 June 2002;
	17 June 2002;
	20 November 2002;
	1 March 2007;
	9 May 2007;
	15 November 2007;
	27 August 2007;
	10 November 2007;
	27 August 2008;
	10 November 2009; and
	7 December 2010.
	In addition, an investigation was initiated on 10 June 2011 into a fire that broke out earlier that same day.
	HSE records do not include sufficient data to calculate the cost of each of these investigations. However, three of these investigations resulted in prosecution action; for these cases the costs of investigation and enforcement were applied for through the courts. For these three cases, costs were applied for, and awarded, as follows:
	Investigation initiated 27 March 2001—costs applied for £9,284, partial costs of £6,417.20 awarded.
	Investigation initiated 1 June 2002—costs applied for £77,046.08, full costs awarded.
	Investigation initiated 17 June 2002—costs applied for £13,099.62, full costs awarded.

Hewlett Packard

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of Hewlett Packard’s application to offshore jobs from the application maintenance and support element of the Adams 2 contract it holds with his Department; how many jobs the company proposes to transfer overseas; and if he will assess the likely impact on benefit claimant rates in (a) the North East and (b) England if the application were granted.

Chris Grayling: The Department is reviewing plans to increase the amount of work delivered by HP from non-UK locations and this review has not yet been concluded. The exact location and number of jobs needed by HP to deliver the required services and its impact on their staff in the UK is a matter for HP to determine. Therefore the impact on benefit claims as a direct consequence cannot yet be assessed.

Jobcentre Plus

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance his Department provides to officials in Jobcentre Plus on targets for ending recipient’s entitlement to claim benefits.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Darra Singh
	The Secretary of State for Work and for Pensions has asked me to reply to your question regarding the guidance his Department provides to officials in Jobcentre Plus on targets for ending recipient’s entitlement to claim benefits. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus is responsible for ensuring Jobseekers Allowance is paid to those customers who are eligible to receive it. Jobseekers are required to comply with certain conditions of entitlement, for example, being available for and actively seeking employment. Where a person unreasonably causes or prolongs their own unemployment, they may be subject to a sanction where their benefit is withheld for a set period.
	Jobcentre Plus guidance to officials is clear that there is no right or wrong level of sanction referrals an office should make, and that a sanction is only applied where people have not adhered to their jobseeker obligations. Jobcentre Plus has neither targets, nor benchmarks, for sanctions in the current year.

Jobcentre Plus

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether Jobcentre Plus compiles any performance ranking of its offices.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Darra Singh
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking whether Jobcentre Plus compile any performance ranking of its offices. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Under the new Performance Management Framework, introduced in April 2011, managers in Jobcentre Plus use a range of metrics to manage performance across the business.
	At all management levels, performance management activity focuses on performance variation to drive continuous improvement. We look at site by site performance as well as comparisons between Groups and this enables us to share best practice as well as focusing on relative under performance.
	Whilst Jobcentres are not ranked in terms of top-to-bottom performers, as different labour market conditions apply, Jobcentre Plus does rank its benefit and contact centres for internal purposes. Senior Management do keep the performance under regular review to ensure we understand variations in performance and continuously improve our impact and our services to the customer.

Jobcentre Plus: Scotland

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether any Jobcentre Plus services provided by centres in (a) Ayr, (b) Arbroath and (c) Clydebank will be moved outside Scotland when those centres close.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Darra Singh
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking whether any Jobcentre Plus services provided by centres in (a) Ayr (b) Arbroath and (c) Clydebank will be moved outside Scotland when those centres close. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus Contact Centres (including Clydebank Contact Centre) are part of a virtual network. Within this network, calls are directed to the next available advisor with the appropriate skills to answer customers' enquiries. Therefore the transfer of services will occur via the virtual network, and we cannot confirm which calls will therefore be routed to other Scottish Centres.
	Internally Jobcentre Plus is currently developing site by site plans for the movement of benefit work from the sites affected by our site rationalisation plans that were announced on 13th May which include Ayr and Arbroath. As yet, no decisions have been made on work movements, either within Scotland, or to other areas of Great Britain.

Jobcentre Plus: Scotland

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions at which locations in Scotland Jobcentre Plus officials share office accommodation with other Government agencies.

Chris Grayling: As the administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Darra Singh
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking at which locations in Scotland Jobcentre Plus officials share office accommodation with other Government Departments and their Executive Agencies. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus in Scotland currently shares many of its offices across the country with other UK Government Departments including: DWP's Pensions Disability and Carers Service; Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs; The Identity and Passport Service and many others. We also share accommodation with some agencies of the Scottish Government, for example Skills Development Scotland. I have attached a complete list
	at Annex 1.
	Under the terms of the Spending Review, DWP, including Jobcentre Plus, is being asked to make significant efficiencies in its work to meet a 26 per cent reduction in real terms from its core budget. To help achieve the level of efficiencies required we will be reviewing our network of Jobcentres to see if there are further opportunities for outreach or co-location, and scope for rationalisation of Jobcentres whilst retaining a local presence. Once we have developed our proposals we will share these with local stakeholders, including MPs and MSPs, as part of our normal consultation arrangements for service delivery.
	Annex 1: Locations where Jobcentre Plus in Scotland share premises with other Government Departments and their Executive Agencies
	Dundee Contact Centre
	Paisley Contact Centre
	Aberdeen Benefit Centre
	Arbroath Benefit Centre
	Greenock Benefit Centre
	Glasgow Northgate Benefit Centre
	Alexandria Jobcentre
	Bellshill Jobcentre
	Campbeltown Jobcentre
	Dumfries Jobcentre
	Dunfermline Jobcentre
	Dunoon Jobcentre
	Elgin Jobcentre
	Fort William Jobcentre
	Galashiels Jobcentre
	Govan Jobcentre
	Hamilton Jobcentre
	Hawick Jobcentre
	Helensburgh Jobcentre
	Inverness Jobcentre
	Kirkwall Jobcentre
	Lerwick Jobcentre
	Livingston Jobcentre
	Newlands Jobcentre
	Oban Jobcentre
	Perth Jobcentre
	Peterhead Jobcentre
	Port Glasgow Jobcentre
	Saltcoats Jobcentre
	Shettleston Jobcentre
	Stirling Jobcentre
	Stranraer Jobcentre
	Wick Jobcentre.

Jobcentre Plus: Scotland

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) support and (b) guidance his Department is offering to officials in Jobcentre Plus following the decision to close centres in Scotland.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Darra Singh
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what (a) support and (b) guidance his Department is offering to officials in Jobcentre Plus following the decision to close centres in Scotland. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	I realise that the announcements which we made on 13th May regarding the closure of 22 benefit and contact centres will be unsettling to all staff. The line managers of staff at affected centres are available to support them, both now and throughout the next few months. Our immediate priority is to understand individual circumstances, and so we have just completed initial one-to-one discussions between the individuals and their line managers to discuss the closures and how it might affect them and to talk about their personal circumstances. We expect to have further one-to-one discussions throughout the period until closure.
	Managers will also be able to answer or deal with any questions or concerns that staff may have. Where the manager does not have the necessary information we have introduced an issues escalation process.
	In addition, staff who are union members may also want to speak to their Trade Union representative. We did arrange for a Trade Union representative to be on site on 13th May who took time to talk to members of staff. Since then, we have also allowed additional facility time for members of the PCS Group Executive Committee to attend sites to discuss the closures with staff.
	If staff would prefer to speak with someone from outside the Department, our Employee Assistance provider, Right Corecare, is available 24 hours a day. Our contract with Right Corecare provides unlimited confidential access to their helplines on 0800 652 3304.
	In addition, managers will have regular communications with staff and will keep them informed of any developments as they occur. We will also use the full range of our existing communications channels, including our intranet pages and events such as Your Call, which is a live audio conference event where people in Jobcentre Plus can speak directly to me and my Jobcentre Plus Board members to get answers to their questions.

Jobcentre Plus: Scotland

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department plans any compulsory redundancies in respect of officials at the Jobcentre Plus centre in Ayr.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested
	Letter from Darra Singh
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking whether his Department plans any compulsory redundancies in respect of officials at the Jobcentre Plus centre in Ayr. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	DWP will always take all possible steps, including redeploying people into other jobs, to avoid compulsory redundancy. The Department has an excellent track record in securing alternative roles for its people and would not want to use public money for redundancy schemes unless absolutely necessary. Our plans to enlarge some sites, and our robust workforce planning and workforce management arrangements will all help us towards avoiding a situation where compulsory redundancy is necessary. However, we cannot guarantee this.

Jobcentre Plus: Scotland

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many officials at the Jobcentre Plus centre in Ayr he plans to redeploy to other locations.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested
	Letter from Darra Singh
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many officials at the Jobcentre Plus centre in Ayr he plans to redeploy to other locations. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The 43 staff in Ayr will all receive an offer of redeployment within Jobcentre Plus, either locally or further afield. If those opportunities are further away we will help staff with travel costs. I cannot provide you with a firm estimate of the number of staff who will take up this offer of redeployment until we have completed further one to one discussions with every individual member of staff, which will allow us to understand their personal circumstances.

Jobcentre Plus: Scotland

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many clients were dealt with at the Jobcentre Plus centre in Ayr in each of the last five years.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Darra Singh
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many clients have been dealt with at the Jobcentre Plus centre in Ayr in each of the last five years. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Please see below the information for Ayr Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) Centre.
	The information is only available from April 2008.
	
		
			 Claims received 
			  Performance year 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Ayr IIDB 3,757 7,355 4,066 
		
	
	
		
			 Claims processed 
			  Performance year 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Ayr IIDB 3,975 7,287 4,571 
		
	
	
		
			 Live load figures 
			  Performance year 
			  December 2008 December 2009 December 2010 
			 Ayr IIDB 34,001 33,702 34,164

Jobcentre Plus: Scotland

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many officials were employed at the Jobcentre Plus centre in Ayr in each of the last six years.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Darra Singh
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many officials were employed at the Jobcentre Plus centre in Ayr in each of the last six years. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Ayr Benefit Centre employed:
	49 staff (42.11 whole time equivalent) in March 2009;
	44 staff (37.52 whole time equivalent) in March 2010; and
	43 staff (36.29 whole time equivalent) in March 2011.
	The information is only available from April 2008.

Members: Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when a substantive reply will be sent to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North of 4 May 2011 to the Child Support Agency, reference CSA/0262226.

Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have asked the child maintenance commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and I have seen the response.
	Letter from Noel Shanahan
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when a substantive reply will be sent to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North of 4 May 2011 to the Child Support Agency reference CSA/0262226.
	As details about individual cases are confidential I have written to you separately about this case.

Older Workers

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to promote active ageing in employment.

Steve Webb: Older workers are hugely important to our labour force and economy. Most have years of experience and knowledge to offer to employers and co-workers. Though employers' attitudes are changing, too many still believe in out-of-date age stereotypes concerning training, health and performance.
	Through our Age Positive initiative, we are working with key business leaders to drive forward sustained improvements in the employment, training and retention of older workers by advising employers about the business benefits of investing in a mixed aged work force and developing flexible work and retirement opportunities. Information for all employers is given on:
	www.businesslink.gov.uk/agepositive
	The Government developed guidance and training to help employers manage their work forces without the use of compulsory retirement ages following regulations this year to phase out the Default Retirement Age. Information is given on:
	www.acas.org.uk

Older Workers

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will bring forward proposals to promote events to raise awareness among (a) employers and (b) the general public of the need for greater intergenerational solidarity within an ageing workforce.

Steve Webb: We are working now with key business sector leaders to drive forward sustained improvements in the employment, training and retention of older workers as part of a mixed age workforce. We are providing sector leaders with expert resource to support employers' understanding about the business benefits of investing in older workers and how they might adopt effective age management practices including flexible work and flexible retirement opportunities. Information for all employers is given on:
	www.businesslink.gov.uk/agepositive
	The ACAS website:
	www.acas.org.uk
	gives information about planned training events to help employers manage their workforces without the use of compulsory retirement ages following regulations this year to phase out the Default Retirement Age.
	We are currently inviting our partners, local authorities and community groups to organise events across the country in support of the 5(th) anniversary of UK Older People's Day, which takes place this year on 1 October. It will publicise and celebrate the huge contribution that older people make to our society and economy and help to tackle outdated and negative stereotypes. Additionally, the Government's Ageing Well programme is working with partners on a programme that gives councils a key opportunity to develop and promote intergenerational practice.

Pensions: Young People

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the effects of raising the state pension age on access to employment for young people.

Steve Webb: No assessment of the employment effects on younger people have been made.
	However we believe that in the long-term increasing the state pension age and thereby increasing the number of older workers in work will lead to an increase in employment opportunities for younger workers.
	The economy is stimulated by having more people in work, creating a greater labour market for people of all ages. Both UK and international evidence has found that more people in work helps the economy to grow, showing that, on an economy-wide level, older people in work do not block jobs for younger people. We need to ensure there are employment opportunities for both younger and older people.

Social Security Benefits

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what definition his Department uses of the term (a) active benefit and (b) inactive benefit.

Chris Grayling: There is no legislative definition of active or inactive benefit. Benefits can be regarded as active if entitlement does or can require the recipient to undertake labour-market or work-preparation activities as a condition of entitlement in order to improve the recipient’s chances of finding sustained work, so reducing the chances of long-term benefit dependency.
	Currently, the benefits that could be regarded as active are jobseeker’s allowance and employment and support allowance (in respect of those claimants in the work-related activity group). Other benefits such as income support and housing benefit do not contain an active labour-market attachment as a condition of entitlement.

Social Security Benefits

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the weekly monetary value is of (a) the state pension, (b) employment and support allowance and (c) jobseeker's allowance.

Steve Webb: The weekly rates of basic state pension and personal allowances and premiums in employment and support allowance and jobseeker's allowance are set out in the annual social security benefits uprating statement. I refer the hon. Member to the ministerial statement I gave on 9 December 2010, Official Report, column 47WS, which set out the rates of benefit for 2011.

Social Security Benefits: Correspondence

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to assist benefit claimants who are unable to read official correspondence due to (a) learning difficulties and (b) dyslexia.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Darra Singh
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what steps his Department is taking to assist benefit claimants who are unable to read official correspondence due to (a) learning difficulties and (b) dyslexia. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The majority of Jobcentre Plus claimants currently make their claims over the telephone. Information is recorded electronically and this removes the need for a claim form to be read and completed by the claimant.
	Other claimants can choose to apply for Jobseekers Allowance online via the “Do it online” section of the Directgov website. This provides the flexibility to access Jobcentre Plus services from their own homes, at a pace that suits, with, if appropriate, support from an advocate. Claimants can also submit an initial application for Employment Support Allowance via the internet claim service.
	Should either of these channels represent a problem, clerical forms can be issued or, where appropriate, a face to face interview at the customer's local Jobcentre Plus office can be organised. Claimants who choose a face-to-face meeting might also wish to involve their own advocate or representative in this process.
	Jobcentre Plus has a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to standard services where it is considered appropriate. Claimants can request the written information that Jobcentre Plus produces in an alternative format. Where Jobcentre Plus establishes that an alternative format is required, it is recommended good practice to record this so that future contact can be made in the same manner.
	Jobcentre Plus staff are equipped to obtain documents in alternative formats, for example, large print or Easy Read, which uses simple language and images, making information easier to understand for people with learning difficulties.
	If people with dyslexia and / or learning difficulties need extra help to find work, the Disability Employment Adviser can also offer support. Disability Employment Advisers are specially trained to enable them to help people with more complex barriers to employment. Examples include supporting the completion of application forms as well as acting as an advocate for the customer in approaches made to potential employers.

Social Security Benefits: E-mail

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has considered the merits of offering correspondence via email for benefit claimants who cannot read but have access to electronic reading facilities.

Maria Miller: We want to ensure all our services are accessible to people. We are actively looking at e-mail as a way for claimants to contact the Department. However, it is not possible currently to guarantee the security of e-mail messages.
	From 2012 working age benefit claimants will be able to register, via the Government Gateway, for a secure customer account which they can access through Directgov and, in 2013, universal credit will build on this capability. This account will improve our online claim services and we therefore expect to be able to make more use of e-mail and e-mail alerts.

Social Security Benefits: Health

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are in receipt of (a) employment support allowance and (b) disability living allowance as a result of a degenerative illness.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is given as follows.
	It is important to note that the term 'degenerative disease' is a general one; it may apply to any condition that leads to gradual deterioration, therefore this can encompass a wide variety of conditions. This may include conditions as diverse as neurological, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal conditions and even cancer. Therefore all conditions have been provided in the tables.
	
		
			 Employment support allowance claimants by diagnosis group—November 2010 
			  Number 
			 Total 593,930 
			 Claimants without any diagnosis code on the system 30 
			 Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases 6,290 
			 Neoplasms 22,630 
			 Diseases of the Blood and Blood forming organs and certain Diseases involving the immune mechanism 1,380 
			 Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases 8,360 
			 Mental and Behavioural Disorders 234,670 
			 Diseases of the Nervous System 25,080 
			 Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa 3,380 
			 Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process 1,930 
			 Diseases of the Circulatory System 25,550 
			 Diseases of the Respiratory System 12,360 
			 Diseases of the Digestive System 11,380 
			 Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous System 3,790 
			 Diseases of the Musculoskeletal system and Connective Tissue 86,290 
			 Diseases of the Genito-urinary System 5,480 
			 Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Puerperium 2,770 
			 Certain Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period 20 
			 Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities 1,420 
			 Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified 78,740 
			 Injury, Poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes 55,690 
			 Factors influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services 6,700 
			 Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10; Totals may not sum due to rounding. 2. Employment and support allowance (ESA) replaced incapacity benefit and income support paid on the grounds of incapacity for new claims from  27 October 2008. 3. Causes of incapacity are based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10(th) Revision, published by the World Health Organisation. 4. Under the employment support allowance regime, new claimants have to undergo the work capability assessment. 5. The medical condition recorded on the claim form does not itself confer entitlement to employment support allowance. 6. Medical condition is based on evidence provided at the start of the claim, this in itself does not confer entitlement to ESA and may not represent a claimant's most recent medical condition. Please note that where someone has more than one diagnosis or disabling condition, only the predominant one is currently recorded. 7. Data is available on the Department's website at: http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html Source: DWP Information Directorate: 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study. 
		
	
	
		
			 Disability living allowance cases in payment by diagnosis— November 2010 
			  Number 
			 All 3,181,000 
			 Arthritis 585,500 
			 Muscle/Joint/Bone Disease 210,200 
		
	
	
		
			 Blindness/Visual Disease 70,000 
			 Stroke Related 111,200 
			 Learning Difficulty 373,100 
			 Mental Health Causes 512,800 
			 Epilepsy 74,000 
			 Deafness 42,500 
			 Malignant Disease 83,000 
			 Chest Disease 94,600 
			 Back Ailments 249,300 
			 Heart Disease 136,700 
			 Parkinson's Disease 19,100 
			 Diabetes Mellitus 59,600 
			 Renal Disorders 16,600 
			 AIDS 8,800 
			 Skin Disease 16,700 
			 Frailty 2,800 
			 Multiple Sclerosis 69,400 
			 Other 445,300 
			 Notes: 1. The preferred statistics on benefits are now derived from 100% data sources. However, the 5% sample data still provides some detail not yet available from the 100% data sources, in particular, more complete information on the disabling condition of DLA claimants. DWP recommends that, where the detail is only available on the 5% sample data, or disabling condition (DLA) is required, the proportions derived should be scaled up to the overall 100% total for the benefit. This has been done here. 2. Case load figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. 3. Case load totals show the number of people in receipt of an allowance and exclude those with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. A diagnosed medical condition does not mean that someone is automatically entitled to DLA. Entitlement is dependent on an assessment of how much help someone needs with personal care and/or mobility because of their disability. These statistics are only collected for administrative purposes. Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate, 5% sample.

Social Security Benefits: Interviews

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit recipients have had their entitlement to claim benefits ended as a result of being late for an interview in each month since the introduction of the relevant rule.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Darra Singh
	The Secretary of State for Work and for Pensions has asked me to reply to your question regarding the number of benefit recipients whose entitlement to claim benefits ended as a result of being late for an interview. You have asked for this information for each month since the introduction of the relevant rule. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	If a claimant is late, but attends on the same day, a sanction isn’t generally applied but the claimant will be warned about the impact that any future late attendance can have on their benefit. Data on these types of cases is not collected separately.
	Since April 2010, legislation has provided for a sanction to be applied when a Jobseeker’s Allowance claimant fails to attend an appointment without good cause. The sanction is for a one week loss of benefit, extending to two weeks for the second and each subsequent failure thereafter. The numbers of sanctions applied in these circumstances are in the table below.
	Data is not collected for Income Support and Incapacity Benefit and data for Employment Support Allowance has only been available since 18 May 2011 and is, therefore, of limited value.
	
		
			 Great Britain 
			  Number 
			 Total 225,030 
			 April 2010 15,590 
			 May 2010 22,220 
			 June 2010 26,690 
			 July 2010 25,900 
			 August 2010 24,410 
			 September 2010 25,390 
			 October 2010 23,780 
			 November 2010 24,410 
			 December 2010 16,440 
			 January 2011 20,170 
		
	
	Figures are rounded to the nearest ten. Some additional disclosure control has been applied. Totals may not sum due to rounding method used.
	The source of the information is DWP Information Directorate: JSA Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database. Figures are published at:
	http://83.244.183.180/sanction/sanction/LIVE/tabtool.html

Social Security Benefits: Overpayments

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the contribution of the Minister of State for Work and Pensions of 13 June 2011, Official Report, Welfare Reform Bill Committee, column 503, what mechanisms are in place to recover overpayment of benefits to EU migrant workers from other EU member states once they have left the UK; and whether any reciprocal arrangements are in place with other EU member states.

Chris Grayling: Once an EU migrant leaves the United Kingdom and moves to another country within the EU, recovery can be made by that country under EU legislation. This legislation provides for recovery of overpayments either from arrears of benefit, by deduction from ongoing payments of benefit or by instalments if benefit is not in payment. The legislation also allows for enforcement action to be taken through the courts of the country in which the person is now residing where that action is appropriate.
	The legislation provides for one member state to take this action on behalf of another member state.

Social Security Benefits: Overpayments

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many instances overpayment of benefits to migrant workers from other EU member states was successfully reclaimed after the individual had left the UK in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: Data to determine the number of successfully reclaimed overpayment of benefits to migrant workers from other EU member states, after leaving the United Kingdom is not available.

Social Security Benefits: Overpayments

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on reclaiming overpayment of benefits to migrant workers from other EU member states following departure from the UK in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: Data to determine the amount that is spent on reclaiming overpayment of benefits to EU migrant workers in the UK is not available.

Unemployment: Cancer

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information his Department holds on the average number of months persons diagnosed with cancer were certified as unable to undertake work in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: The system of medical certification by GPs is paper-based and data on the duration of medical certificates are not held centrally. Employers are not obliged to report on duration and causes of statutory sick pay payments.

Work Capability Assessment: Appeals

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many work capability assessments were made contrary to the recommendation of a general practitioner on behalf of a claimant in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: Prior to a work capability assessment general practitioner's provide “Fit Notes” as evidence of incapacity in relation to the work that an individual has currently been doing (for those in work). This evidence does not provide a view on benefit entitlement.
	A decision on employment and support allowance benefit entitlement is made by a DWP decision-maker, based on advice from specifically trained health care professionals from Atos Healthcare, who are able to provide independent and robust advice regarding an individual's functional capability.
	The information requested is not therefore available.

Work Capability Assessment: Appeals

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many work capability assessments in respect of persons diagnosed with a mental health condition were refused in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many such decisions were subsequently overturned on appeal.

Chris Grayling: There were 132,800 Fit for Work decisions for new employment and support allowance (ESA) claims made up to the end of February 2010, where the primary health condition was classed as mental and behavioural disorders. There were 50,100 appeals heard against these decisions, and of these 21,200 (42%) were cases where the decision was overturned in favour of the appellant.
	The above figures come from benefit claims data held by the Department for Work and Pensions, functional assessment data from Atos Healthcare, and appeals data from the Tribunals Service. Figures are only available for appeals that have been completed and not for those that are currently under way.
	Data on appeals heard are published for new ESA claims starting between October 2008, when ESA was introduced, and up to the end of February 2010 (the latest month where there are sufficient volumes of appeals heard). Appeals data are only included where the person claiming has been found fit for work, they have subsequently appealed against the Department's decision and the appeal has been heard by the Tribunals Service.
	Due to the time it takes for appeals to be submitted to the Tribunals Service and heard, it is likely that there are more appeals that have not yet been heard. As a result these figures should continue to be treated as emerging findings and not final at this stage.

Work Capability Assessment: Appeals

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people who failed a work capability assessment in the last 12 months subsequently had the decision overturned on appeal.

Chris Grayling: Between March 2009 and February 2010, 258,900 claims for employment and support allowance (ESA) were found fit for work at the initial work capability assessment (WCA). Of these, 34,700 had their entitlement to ESA reinstated after an appeal was heard by the Tribunals Service.
	The figure above comes from benefit claims data held by the Department for Work and Pensions, functional assessment data from Atos Healthcare and appeals data from the Tribunals Service. Figures are only available for appeals that have been completed and not for those that are currently under way.
	The figure above has been rounded to the nearest 100. Appeals data is only available for claims starting up to February 2010.
	Due to the time it takes for appeals to be submitted to the Tribunals Service and heard, it is likely that there are more appeals that have not yet been heard.
	The Department regularly publishes official statistics on ESA and the WCA. The latest report was published in April 2011 and can be found on the internet at the following link:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/esa_wca/index. php?page=esa_wca_arc

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Adult Education

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects of the reductions in his Department's budget on the availability and quality of adult learning opportunities.

John Hayes: holding answer 23 June 2011
	An assessment of the policies announced in the White Paper ‘Skills for Sustainable Growth’, which are underpinned by ‘Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth’, was published on 17 November 2010.(1) These policies reflect the fact that in the current economic climate further education must work within a more limited budget.
	An assessment of the impact of those policy commitments that are subject to the passage of the Education Bill through both Houses of Parliament has been published by the Department for Education (DfE). These impact assessments(2) cover all matters that are considered in the Bill including the removal of the skills entitlement at Level 3 and Level 2 for individuals over the age of 23 and plans to streamline Ofsted inspection.
	The Government are committed to freeing colleges and providers from central control and regulation so they are better able to respond to the needs of the learners, employers and communities they serve. The sector has identified that the assurance processes used to monitor performance are excessive. Providers offering a quality learning experience should expect minimal external intervention. However, poor providers must expect greater scrutiny and a requirement to make rapid improvements, or lose funding for some (or all) of their provision.
	We have taken steps to free colleges and providers from central controls and bureaucracies. This is based on our approach of trusting the sector's leadership and staff and their proven record to date in raising performance. In return, we expect providers to demonstrate their maturity by taking responsibility for their own performance and engaging with stakeholders about their record on delivery.
	(1) Equality impact assessment for White Paper and Skills Investment Strategy:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/s/10-1284-skills-for-sustainable-growth-investing-equality-impact.pdf
	(2) Overall impact assessments for Education Bill:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/home/aboutdfe/departmentalinformation/educationbill/a0073748/education-bill

Animal Experiments: Primates

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department is developing a national strategy on the use of non-human primates in scientific research.

Mark Prisk: The coalition Government agreement includes a commitment to work to reduce the use of all animals in scientific research, including non-human primates (NHPs). We believe this is an ambitious but essential and achievable goal and that scientific advances present significant opportunities to replace animal use, to reduce the number of animals used, and, where animal use is unavoidable, to refine the procedures involved so as to minimise suffering. These long-standing aims are referred to as the 3Rs.
	In its report on the use of NHPs in research published in 2006, an expert group chaired by Professor Sir David Weatherall made 16 recommendations; the Department is awaiting the findings of the review of publicly funded research envisaged in the fourth of these recommendations. The Department will then be in a position to develop a strategy for the use (and non-use) of NHPs.

Business

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of patent applications from (a) small and medium-sized businesses and (b) others.

Edward Davey: The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) provides support and advice to all types of business, particularly innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to enable them to understand how they can best use intellectual property, including patents, to benefit their business. However it is not a specific goal of the IPO simply to increase numbers of patent applications because applications which are legally or commercially weak do not benefit their applicants, and can cause uncertainties for other businesses, including for innovative SMEs. This issue was identified in the recent report ‘Digital Opportunity’ by Professor Ian Hargreaves, which the Government are currently considering.

Business

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to improve patent protection for small and medium-sized businesses.

Edward Davey: The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) provides support and advice to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to assist them in using their intellectual property, including patents, effectively. Enforcement of rights is of particular concern for SMEs. The IPO has taken steps to improve this by providing: a low cost opinions service for patents as well as a mediation service.
	Following the Jackson Review, the Government have made changes to the patents county court, to reduce costs. These include streamlined procedures, a fixed scale of recoverable costs capped at £50,000 and a damages cap of £500,000. The costs cap is designed to provide certainty to SMEs worried about a large cost award against them should they lose against a well funded opponent.

Business: Expenditure

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of net capital expenditure was attributable to small and medium-sized enterprises in (a) each year since 2005 and (b) 2011 to date.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on what proportion of net capital expenditure was attributable to small and medium-sized enterprises (a) in each year since 2005 and (b) in 2011 to date. (62024)
	The information available is provided in the table below. Estimates for 2011 are not available until 28th June 2011.
	
		
			 Annual Business Survey (2005) and Quarterly Capital Expenditure Survey (2006-2010) 
			 Small, Medium and Large enterprises, Net capital expenditure (£ million) 
			  Small ent. (0-99 emp) Net Capex  (£   million  ) Small ent. % of total Medi  um ent. (100-299 emp) Net Capex(£   million  ) Medium ent. % of total Large ent. (300+ emp) Net Capex  (£   million  ) Large ent. % of total Total Net Capex  (£   million  ) 
			 2005 23,953 28 9,861 11 52,980 61 86,794 
			 2006q1 4,377 21 3,378 16 13,231 63 20,986 
		
	
	
		
			 2006q2 4,565 22 3,615 17 12,638 61 20,818 
			 2006q3 4,608 20 3,983 17 14,381 63 22,972 
			 2006q4 4,948 20 4,678 18 15,911 62 25,537 
			         
			 2007q1 4,970 20 4,281 18 15,143 62 24,394 
			 2007q2 5,032 22 4,046 17 14,397 61 23,475 
			 2007q3 5,216 21 4,531 18 15,391 61 25,138 
			 2007q4 5,516 19 4,779 17 18,040 64 28,335 
			         
			 2008q1 5,352 22 4,063 17 14,810 61 24,225 
			 2008q2 5,082 21 4,361 18 15,061 61 24,504 
			 2008q3 4,790 19 4,483 18 15,718 63 24,991 
			 2008q4 4,526 17 4,293 17 16,994 66 25,814 
			         
			 2009q1 3,595 17 3,256 15 14,519 68 21,370 
			 2009q2 3,593 19 3,123 17 12,108 64 18,824 
			 2009q3 3,674 18 2,949 15 13,200 67 19,823 
			 2009q4 4,050 19 3,266 15 13,995 66 21,311 
			         
			         
			         
			 2010q1 3,762 18 3,037 15 13,697 67 20,496 
			 2010q2 3,651 19 3,297 17 12,656 64 19,604 
			 2010q3 3,981 19 3,368 16 13,920 65 21,269 
			 2010q4 3,999 17 3,704 16 15,695 67 23,398 
			 Source: Office for National Statistics

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what research his Department funds on the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

David Willetts: The Medical Research Council (MRC) is an independent body which receives its grant in aid from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The MRC supports research into all aspects of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), and welcomes high-quality research applications in this area. The selection of projects for funding is determined through peer review. The MRC provided £109,000 to projects researching CFS/ME in 2009-10; details of the projects supported can be found at:
	http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Ourresearch/ResearchInitiatives/CFSME/index.htm
	The MRC recently launched a call for proposals to support high quality, innovative research to increase the current knowledge base of CFS/ME and draw in expertise and resource from related fields. Applications were required to address the mechanisms underlying chronic changes related to CFS/ME particularly focusing on one or more of the following areas: autonomic dysfunction, cognitive symptoms, fatigue, immune dysregulation, pain and sleep disorders. The application deadline was 7 June and up to £1.5 million will be made available to support research proposals; the MRC expects to announce any awards towards the end of the year.

Diamond Resorts International

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations he has received on the changes made by Diamond Resorts International to the terms and conditions of former members of Sunterra; whether his Department has discussed this matter with Diamond Resorts International; and whether his Department has provided any support to former members of Sunterra following the change.

Edward Davey: Since the general election I have received 25 items of correspondence referring to changes made by Diamond Resorts International to timeshare contracts with former members of Sunterra. The Department is unable to intervene in individual disputes between contracting parties and has not, therefore, discussed this matter with Diamond Resorts International. In response to correspondence I and my officials have provided advice and have passed their concerns to the Office of Fair Trading for any action it may deem appropriate under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.
	I have also responded to two written parliamentary questions one to my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey) on 29 March 2011, Official Report, column 313W, and the other to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field) on 30 March 2011, Official Report, column 348W.

EU External Trade: India

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the proposed free trade agreement between the EU and India; and what assessment he has made of the effects of such an agreement on (a) employment levels and (b) skills in the UK.

Edward Davey: There is regular dialogue between the Department and Ministers and officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the high commission in New Delhi.
	Studies suggest the net benefit to the UK of a free trade agreement between the EU and India could amount to around £2 billion over 10 years. The studies suggest that there would probably be little net long-term impact on employment levels, although there could be some movement of employment between sectors.

EU External Trade: India

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of trade unions on the proposed free trade agreement between the EU and India.

Edward Davey: Officials from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have met with trade union representatives to discuss a range of union interests in the proposed free trade agreement between the EU and India.
	The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), also regularly meets the TUC general secretary to discuss issues of mutual interest. Recent meetings have included discussion on the proposed free trade agreement between the EU and India.

EU External Trade: India

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects a free trade agreement between the EU and the Indian Government to be signed; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: We hope for conclusion of the agreement by the EU-India summit in December 2011. The signature of the agreement will take place at a later date, once the formal EU process of translating the final text into all member states' languages has been completed. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will announce conclusion and signature of the agreement once this has taken place.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the liability of the Export Credits Guarantee Department was in respect of (a) Airbus, (b) other aerospace goods, (c) other civil goods and (d) military goods at 31 March 2011.

Edward Davey: The Export Credits Guarantee Department's (ECGD) contingent liability (net of reinsurance) as at 31 March is shown in the following table. Contingent liability in respect of Airbus relates to obligors (airlines, operating lessors, etc.) for which ECGD guaranteed export credit loans have been made available in connection with the export of Airbus aircraft.
	
		
			  £ million 
			 (a) Airbus civil aerospace transactions 5,807 
			 (b) Other civil aerospace 195 
			 (c) Civil (non-aerospace) 2,518 
			 (d) Defence 1,144 
			 Total 9,664

Focus Stores: B and Q

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills by what date he expects the Office of Fair Trading to make a ruling on the proposed takeover of Focus Stores by B&Q plc; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: The Office of Fair Trading has announced that it will make a decision on this case by 5 August, though it may reach a conclusion earlier. Its investigation is being done under its informal submission process which provides for an administrative deadline of 40 working days. The regulatory control of mergers is a matter for the Office of Fair Trading as the UK's independent competition authority.

Higher Education: Admissions

Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of university places for (a) accountancy, (b) actuarial science, (c) aeronautical engineering, (d) architecture, (e) biochemistry, (f) biology, (g) biomedical sciences, (h) business studies, (i) chemical engineering, (j) chemistry, (k) computing, (l) dentistry, (m) dietetics, (n) economics, (o) electrical and electronic engineering, (p) engineering (general), (q) environmental science studies, (r) geography, (s) geology and earth science, (t) managements studies, (u) materials sciences, (v) mathematics, (w) mechanical engineering, (x) medicine, (y) optometry, (z) orthoptics, (aa) pharmacy, (bb) philosophy, (cc) physics, (dd) physiotherapy, (ee) psychology, (ff) sports science, (gg) surveying, (hh) teacher training and (ii) veterinary science in 2011-12.

David Willetts: holding answer 23 June 2011
	This information is not available; we do not plan for the number of students at a course or subject level. The actual number of places on courses in each subject will depend on the decisions of individual universities. We expect the total number of places on all courses in 2011/12 to be broadly similar to 2010/11.

Mortgages: Competition

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what advice he has received on the application of EU competition rules on restraint of trade to the introduction of alternative business structures in the mortgage conveyancing market.

Edward Davey: None. Matters relating to the application of EU and UK competition law to markets fall to the Office of Fair Trading.

National Physical Laboratory

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what targets he has set for the outcome of the funding of the National Physical Laboratory's space measurements programme.

Edward Davey: The Department does not have a space measurements programme with the National Physical Laboratory.
	There are however some projects within the portfolio of National Measurement System (NMS) programmes, managed by the National Measurement Office, which include aspects in support of space science and technology. In particular these involve the provision of optical measurement standards to underpin earth observation and measurements of the sun, and time measurement, providing standards to underpin current and future global navigation satellite systems. This NMS capability is enabling National Physical Laboratory to contribute to international research collaborations and undertake specific support contracts for European Space Agency and companies in the space industry.

New Businesses: Costs

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the start-up rates were of businesses in the (a) most and (b) least deprived areas in (i) each year since 2005 and (ii) the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the start-up rates were of businesses in the (a) most and (b) least deprived areas in (i) each year since 2005 and (ii) the latest period for which figures are available.
	Annual statistics on the number of enterprise births are available from the ONS release on Business Demography at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk
	However, unfortunately these statistics are not available based on the deprivation of a particular area.

Postal Services

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what proportion of letters for (a) walk sorting and (b) walk sequencing by Royal Mail were automated in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many (a) mail centres and (b) delivery offices in the Royal Mail network were in operation in the latest period for which figures are available.

Edward Davey: The information requested is an operational matter for Royal Mail. I have therefore asked Moya Greene, the chief executive of Royal Mail, to respond directly to the hon. Member and a copy of her replies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Self-employed: Ethnic Groups

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the self-employment rate was among (a) black and mixed ethnic groups and (b) all ethnic groups in (i) each year since 2005 and (ii) 2011 to date.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what self-employment rates were recorded among (a) black and mixed ethnic groups and (b) all ethnic groups in (i) each year since 2005 and (ii) 2011 to date (61892).
	The table provided contains the information requested. The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey. As with any sample survey, the estimates are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			 Self-employment rates for people aged 16 and over by ethnic groups  (1)  : Three months ending March, 2005 to 2011, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Number of self-employed as a percentage of all aged 16 and over 
			 Black and mixed ethnic groups  
			 2005 4.7 
			 2006 5.3 
			 2007 5.1 
			 2008 6.2 
			 2009 4.8 
			 2010 5.7 
			 2011 4.7 
			   
			 All ethnic groups  
			 2005 7.5 
			 2006 7.7 
			 2007 7.9 
			 2008 7.9 
			 2009 7.8 
			 2010 7.9 
			 2011 7.9 
			 (1 )Using the National Statistics standard classification of ethnic groups. Source: Labour Force Survey

Students: Carers

Pat Glass: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made any assessment of the effect of new arrangements for tuition fees on those undertaking university studies while caring for a person who is ill or disabled.

David Willetts: The Government are clear about the importance of improving access to higher education and is establishing a new framework with increased responsibility on universities to widen participation. Higher education institutions will be encouraged to identify candidates with the ability and potential to succeed, offering those that might need extra support the appropriate assistance.
	Loans are available to cover tuition: they are not income assessed and from 2012/13 eligible new full-time students will not have to repay the loan until they are earning over £21,000. Those who are in more modestly paid work—which might be due to caring responsibilities—will not have to make a contribution while their earnings are below the £21,000 threshold.
	For full-time students with adult or child dependants non-repayable grants are available in the form of the Adult Dependants' Grant, Childcare Grant and Parents' Learning Allowance; these are means-tested so that those on the lowest incomes benefit most.
	In addition, from 2012/13 eligible new part-time students will not have to pay up front tuition charges and will be able to access loans in the same way as full-time students can now which may also benefit potential students with caring responsibilities.

Trade Agreements

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the effect on UK sovereignty of (a) free trade agreements between the EU and non-EU countries and (b) the proposed free trade agreement between the EU and India.

Edward Davey: While the Commission has competence under the EU's Common Commercial Policy to conduct trade negotiations, it does so in accordance with mandates from the Council. In most cases—including the proposed free trade agreement with India—we would expect the final agreement to be a mixed competence agreement, requiring ratification by each member state.

Trade Agreements

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects on the UK (a) automotive, (b) aerospace and (c) pharmaceutical industry of the introduction of a free trade agreement with (i) China, (ii) India and (iii) Japan.

Edward Davey: There is no proposal for a free trade agreement (FTA) with China although a partnership and co-operation agreement is under negotiation. Negotiations are ongoing with India, and negotiations with Japan have not started but the European Commission and Japan will be launching a scoping study shortly.
	The European Commission’s sustainability impact assessment for a fair trade agreement (FTA) with India suggests the FTA may not have a significant impact on these three sectors. A study carried out for the Commission of a potential FTA with Japan suggests that a deep FTA involving significant reductions in non-tariff barriers could lead to significant export opportunities for all three sectors, although the impact on output is less clear-cut.

Trade: Developing Countries

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent meetings he has had on the Doha trade talks.

Edward Davey: holding answer 17 June 2011
	Concluding the Doha round is the top trade policy priority for the UK. It is now clear that the full round will not be concluded in 2011, so we are pushing for the best possible outcome this year which reflects the interests of least developed countries (LDCs). Since Easter, I have called a number of EU trade ministers to discuss Doha, and I raised Doha at the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) on 13 May.

Trading Standards: Legal Profession

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will bring forward proposals to give trading standards additional powers to curtail the activities of unscrupulous law firms.

Edward Davey: holding answer 20 June 2011
	Trading standards already have powers to investigate the activities of unscrupulous law firms if they constitute breaches under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 which bans all persons acting in trade or business from engaging in unfair commercial (mainly marketing and selling) practices against consumers. The regulations apply across all business sectors and set out a framework for how businesses must deal with consumers so that consumers can make free and informed choices in relation to goods and services. Enforcement of the regulations is through undertakings from infringers, enforcement orders or by prosecution with offences carrying potentially an unlimited fine or up to two years imprisonment or both.
	Other unscrupulous activities of law firms may be regulated by the Law Society, the Bar Council or the Legal Services Board. Government do not consider it appropriate to give trading standards enforcement powers under these regimes.

Vocational Training

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has plans to encourage the Skills Funding Agency and the National Apprenticeship Service to share services; and if he will make a statement.

John Hayes: The National Apprenticeship Service is housed within the Skills Funding Agency, and is responsible for delivering the Government's apprenticeship programme. The two organisations work closely together, and the Skills Funding Agency already provides all corporate services to the National Apprenticeship Service, including human resources, information systems and financial management. It also manages all aspects of contracting with colleges and providers—the largest source of apprenticeship training.
	As part of the Government's wider efficiencies agenda, both the Skills Funding Agency and the National Apprenticeship Service are continuing to work closely together to identify areas where further efficiencies can be made.

CABINET OFFICE

Chief Coroner

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what legal advice he received prior to taking the decision to include provisions relating to the office of chief coroner in the Public Bodies Bill.

Francis Maude: The decision to include the office of chief coroner in the Bill was a policy decision, and was reached in the normal way with policy and legal advice from departmental officials.

Childbirth

Tim Farron: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the projected birth rate in England is for (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the projected birth rate in England is for a) 2011-12 and b) 2012-13.
	The latest projections available are from the 2008-based National Population Projections, which were published in 2009. The table below shows the assumed total fertility rate (TFR) and projected number of births for England from 2009-10 to 2012-13. The TFR is the average number of live children a group of women would have if they experienced the assumed age-specific fertility rates for the calendar year in question throughout their child bearing years.
	
		
			 Assumed TFR and projected number of births, 2009-10 to 2012-13, England 
			 Mid year TFR Numbers 
			 2009-10 1.92 661,419 
			 2010-11 1.90 660,001 
			 2011-12 1.88 659,624 
			 2012-13 1.87 660,678

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of employees of his Department’s agency, categorised by (a) seniority, (b) voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Francis Maude: I refer the right hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East to the answer given to him on 20 June 2011, Official Report, column 69W.

Departmental Procurement

John Denham: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what provisions in respect of behavioural standards have been included in procurement contracts issued by his Department since May 2010.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office's standard contract conditions for goods and services provide for the contractor to comply with standards applying to:
	the prevention of corruption and fraud; discrimination;
	health and safety;
	protection of data;
	confidentiality; and
	security and environmental requirements.
	The conditions for services also provide for compliance with standards relating to:
	avoidance of conflicts of interest; and
	vetting of contractors' personnel.
	The Cabinet Office's contracts may be modified to take account of the type of goods or services being supplied and the risks to the Department.
	Since January 2011, the Cabinet Office has published its contracts above £10,000 on-line where details of the conditions can be viewed.

Departmental Redundancy

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancies in its non-departmental bodies (a) in 2011-12 and (b) over the comprehensive spending review period.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office does not currently have any estimates of redundancy costs in its non-departmental bodies (a) in 2011-12 and (b) over the comprehensive spending review period.
	However on 23 June 2011, Cabinet Office announced reforms to the organisation of government communications that will lead to the closure of the Central Office of Information by 1 April 2012. Work has begun on identifying the organisational change process and therefore the size or details of any potential redundancies is not currently known.

Employment Schemes

Julie Elliott: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 9 May 2011, Official Report, column 1017W, on jobseeker's allowance, how many of those people unemployed for more than 12 months were participating in mandatory schemes, including the New Deal.

Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply.
	Information on claimants of jobseeker’s allowance for more than 12 months participating in mandatory New Deal schemes could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Government Departments: Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what guidance his Department issues to other Government departments on the frequency of publication of the number and seniority of their employees; and what his policy is on the compilation of labour market statistics across the Civil Service.

Francis Maude: In order to make Government more transparent and accountable, Departments are required to publish structure charts every six months showing the number and seniority of their staff. Cabinet Office provides Departments with guidance for this exercise to ensure that the data is clear and allows comparisons across Government.
	The Office for National Statistics publishes detailed information on the civil service workforce as part of the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey. This can be viewed at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=2899
	The Government are currently considering how best to extend transparency further to the collection and publication of workforce management information for the civil service as a whole.

Government Departments: Procurement

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what (a) guidance he has issued and (b) support he has provided in respect of the promotion of locally-based companies through Government procurement policies.

Francis Maude: To safeguard the public purse, procurers are required to seek value for money through fair and open competition. Through our membership of the European Union and as a signatory to international agreements, our contracting authorities are required to treat suppliers from Europe and various other countries on an equal footing with UK suppliers. This is a two-way street, however, as it gives our suppliers access to public procurement markets overseas.
	The Government of course want locally-based UK companies to be successful in public procurement, and they will benefit from the steps we are taking to remove the barriers that SMEs have faced.

Lone Parents: Carmarthen

Simon Hart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many lone parents were (a) in employment and (b) unemployed in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency in each year since 2008.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what estimate has been made of the number of lone parents who were (a) in employment and (b) unemployed in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency in each year since 2008 (61611).
	Estimates of the number of children living in workless households are derived from the Annual Population Survey (APS) household datasets. These are currently available for 2004 to 2009. However, due to the specific nature of your request it is not possible to provide reliable estimates because the sample sizes for this survey are not sufficiently large enough for the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency.

Minimum Wage: Dartford

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people were paid at the rate of the national minimum wage in Dartford constituency in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people were paid at the rate of the national minimum wage in Dartford constituency in the latest period for which figures are available. (61942)
	Estimates for the number of jobs paid at the national minimum wage are not available from the Office for National Statistics. Estimates for the number of employee jobs paid below the national minimum wage are available, but not below Region.
	The following table shows the number of employee jobs earning less than the national minimum wage for the South East and the UK in April 2010, the latest period for which figures are available.
	A guide to measuring low pay and associated articles can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=5837
	
		
			 Estimates of jobs paid below the National Minimum Wage for the South East and the UK in April 2010 
			  2010 
			  Thousand Percentage 
			 South East *34 *1.0 
			 UK 271 1.1 
			 Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: ≥ 5% > 5% and ≤ 10% CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics

Ministerial Policy Advisers: Codes of Practice

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  whether unpaid special advisers in Government Departments are subject to the civil service and special advisers' code of conduct; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library a copy of each item of correspondence between Ministers in his Department and the Civil Service Commissioners on the use of unpaid special advisers.

Francis Maude: Special advisers, paid and unpaid, are subject to the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and the Civil Service Code.
	There has been no correspondence with the Civil Service Commission about unpaid special advisers.

Ministerial Policy Advisers: Travel

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many journeys were made by (a) paid and (b) unpaid special advisers using (i) the Government Car Service, (ii) hire car companies and (iii) trains in the last 12 months.

Francis Maude: Special advisors on occasion travel with Ministers in Government cars which is not separately identified. During the last 12 months special advisors have made: no journeys in a Government car (other than with a Minister); one taxi journey; and two return train journeys.

Public Sector

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he plans to publish the proposed White Paper on Public Services.

Oliver Letwin: Current plans are to publish the White Paper in the summer, before recess.